The head of the regional association Kirichenko about the trade union family, support and unity

Petr Kirichenko Member of the Gomel Regional Executive Committee

The water regatta, the athletics run in memory of V.B. Makarenko on the Sozh embankment, a youth charity event in the amusement park for children from the Ulukovsk auxiliary boarding school, a concert and entertainment program, honoring labor dynasties, exhibitions and presentations for May Day were loved by Gomel residents and became expected projects from the union. These are already business cards of the region by May 1. And the systematic work of trade union organizations is ongoing. Chairman of the Gomel regional association of trade unions Petr Kirichenko told BelTA about the large trade union family of the region and the main "whales" in their work.

About the big trade union family

According to Petr Kirichenko, the comparison of the team of the association with the family is not accidental. Relations in teams and primary organizations are built solely on respect, mutual support and readiness to help at any moment. Trade unions unite representatives of different spheres, industries, different ages, who respect each other's interests.

At the beginning of this year, more than 3.8 thousand primary trade union organizations operate in the Gomel region, which unite over 516.3 thousand trade union members. These are power engineers, agrarians, production workers, doctors, cultural workers, athletes, etc. "It is important for us to promote the creation and strengthening of healthy and safe conditions for workers in the field," the trade union leader of the region emphasizes.

About reducing injuries to zero

Trade unions have many directions. However, considerable attention is focused on labor protection, a multi-level system has been created that provides for specific steps in this regard. "This topic is under the constant control of the trade unions of the Gomel region. In organizational terms, the trade unions have done a lot. Thus, a system of public control over the observance of labor protection legislation by employers has been formed. This mechanism is in operation. We also provide methodological assistance to enterprises and organizations in matters of improving the efficiency of systems for managing labor protection and promoting the concept of zero injuries," explains Petr Kirichenko.

In 2022, the institution of curatorship was introduced. On a permanent basis, technical labor inspectors are assigned to each district and regional committee as curators. The work of the regional technical labor inspectorate of trade unions through the formed raid groups has also been debugged.

"A total of 8,000 public inspectors have been formed and are operating. In cooperation with employers, we find an opportunity to morally and financially encourage them, create the necessary conditions for full-fledged public control over compliance with labor protection legislation. Themed days and weeks are held to further promote the Zero Injury Concept For us, simple truths are still important so that a person comes to work healthy and in a good mood and after a hard day safely returns to his family," says Petr Kirichenko.

Joint preventive work with executive authorities, supervision and control, and employers has yielded results. In 2022, it was possible to reduce the level of injuries, but it was not possible to completely eliminate accidents with a fatal outcome at work.

So, in 2022, 18 such cases were registered in the Gomel region against 20 in 2021. “There is a positive trend, but we are concerned about the fact that out of the 18 dead, 5 were in a state of alcoholic intoxication at the workplace - almost every third. It is important now to transform and implement the system of joint preventive work of employers and trade unions directly in collectives. committee and public inspectors will take it with all responsibility, then there will be the main result - fewer injuries and drunkenness at work," the trade union leader of the region points out.

On tightening approaches

Every year, the technical inspection reveals more than 12 thousand violations of labor protection rules. In each case, representations and recommendations for their elimination are issued. "At the same time, 25% of violations are repeated almost from year to year. These figures speak eloquently of the need to change approaches to the system of public control in the direction of its toughening and effectiveness," Petr Kirichenko is sure.

To increase the efficiency of public control, the FPB of Belarus signed agreements with the Prosecutor General's Office, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and the Department of State Labor Inspection on cooperation in creating safe and healthy working conditions and preventing industrial injuries.

Control in the office and in the field

Trade unions are also paying close attention to agrarian campaigns. Understanding the importance of the agro-industrial complex in ensuring food security, in an enhanced mode they control the observance of labor protection at the sowing and harvesting.

"Traditionally, during the sowing and harvesting campaigns, the FPB organizes the republican headquarters. Trade unions take control of the main issues of labor safety for farmers: from providing personal protective equipment to organizing hot meals for field workers. Monitoring will take place at all agricultural enterprises in the country. Trade union specialists will pay attention on whether workers are given safety briefings, whether they are provided with overalls and personal protective equipment, whether places for eating are equipped, and whether labor and production discipline is observed. They will also check the compliance of the involved agricultural machinery and equipment with safety requirements, "says Petr Kirichenko.

About the return of funds and workplace

Behind the term trade union legal protection is real work, real life situations, sharp corners of labor relations.

For example, in 2022, legal inspectors, at the request of employees, prepared 134 documents for the judicial authorities - statements of claim, complaints, petitions, positions on the case, statements to clarify or change claims, objections to statements of claim. 8 appeals and supervisory complaints against COURT decisions were also filed.

With the help of trade union lawyers, six illegally dismissed workers were reinstated at work. Legal inspectors took part in court hearings in 17 cases arising from labor relations.

Br182.6 thousand illegally withheld or not paid to employees, including Br47.6 thousand in court, were returned to the benefit of employees. 48 disputes were resolved in favor of employees without going to court.

On the mistakes of employers

According to Petr Kirichenko, employers often commit gross violations of labor laws, especially when an employee is fired. “In such cases, with the subsequent reinstatement of a person at work, for employers, the amounts of payment for the time of forced absenteeism and monetary compensation for moral damage are excessive monetary payments. They could have been avoided with the correct and careful application of labor legislation by them. I want to draw attention to the fact that, on the basis of Article 245 of the Labor Code, an official guilty of illegal dismissal is liable for payments made to a reinstated employee.

"Practice, including judicial practice, shows that often citizens are not aware of their labor rights and how to protect them, the coordinates for obtaining legal assistance from the trade union. Some members of the trade union come for help already at the stage of appealing the decisions of the courts of first instance," - calls the emerging trends the trade union leader of the region.

About reception problems

Trade union legal methods have earned the trust and authority of citizens. This is a popular and effective form of legal assistance. Such receptions are held with the participation of representatives of the prosecutor's office.

For some time, due to the epidemiological situation, this practice was suspended. However, from January 31, 2022, appointments have been resumed throughout the country. Over the past year, 172 receptions were held in the regions and Gomel, at which 627 citizens received consultations and answers to 717 questions. More than 70% of inquiries are still related to labor law. All applicants were provided with legal assistance, qualified consultations and recommendations.

About the rating of problems that trade unions trust

Most often, residents of the region turn to legal lawyers with questions related to labor rights and guarantees of employees, remuneration and employment, and dismissal. Always among the topics of concern are labor and social leave, additional pay for working overtime or on weekends, payment for additionally assigned work, the legality of ordering additional work. Naturally, employees are also worried about their professional image. So, often lawyers are asked to understand the legality of applying disciplinary measures or bringing to material liability, to clarify the possibilities of how to challenge the unlawful decision of the employer. “There are also requests to clarify the procedure for extending labor contracts, other subtleties of labor legislation. Citizens ask questions of a personal nature. This is quite understandable and understandable. Each person cares about the well-being of his family. Housing issues, pension provision, payment of benefits, rehabilitation are also social guarantees provided by the state. Confidence in life gives each of us a harmonious combination of successful implementation at work and in the family,” explains the chairman of the regional association.

As Petr Kirichenko notes, many issues that are raised during trade union receptions are resolved immediately on the spot, and, if necessary, brought to the attention of local executive and administrative bodies.

About the numbers on the price tags and the assortment on the shelves

Trade union or people's monitoring of prices shows efficiency. Since May 2017, the FPB has been monitoring prices in convenience stores, large retail chains, retail facilities of private and state property.

In Gomel and in the Gomel region, the chairmen of the regional (Gomel city) associations of trade unions monthly monitor prices in 44 stores for 89 types of goods. “The food basket of every day is under special control, including dairy products, cereals, vegetables, poultry, MEAT, etc. The data is entered into a software product specially developed by the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus. price regulation" introduced price regulation for 370 commodity items," says Petr Kirichenko.

The main goal is to prevent unreasonable price increases for goods. "The data collected during price monitoring is compared with the testimony of previous inspections. If necessary, price registers and commodity-transport documentation are requested from the management of the trading facility. As the last monitoring showed, no unreasonable price increases were found," emphasizes the chairman of the regional association.

He proved the high efficiency and format of joint public control of citizens, representatives of trade unions and the legislature. "Each appeal of the buyer is not left without consideration, after which the monitoring group goes to the retail facility. The inspectors monitor the maintenance of the necessary assortment list on the retail shelves, as well as all necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of buyers," the source says.

Together in sorrow and joy, in work and at rest

Trade unions not only protect the legitimate rights and interests of workers, but also strive to diversify their leisure time. "Cultural and sports events, civic-patriotic actions, tourism, recreation, HEALTH improvement - all this finds a positive response and support in the teams. This is an opportunity to get to know colleagues better, discover new pages in the history or traditions of the country, get to know new places ", - explains Peter Kirichenko.

Thus, the Year of Historical Memory has become an opportunity for labor collectives to organize brand campaigns, contests, flash mobs under the motto "Honor! Remember! Proud!", travel around the country, learn new things about it, get acquainted with domestic tourism in Belarus. "1,200 contracts for Br4 million were signed, more than 2,000 excursions were organized to historical, cultural, spiritual places, places of military glory, which made it possible to popularize national history, disseminate information about military exploits and labor achievements of the Belarusian people. In addition During a tourist trip, spiritual and moral education is subconsciously laid in a person, a cultural and patriotic value is formed. I note the interest and positive response from young people," Petr Kirichenko points out.

One of the large-scale projects of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus, dedicated to the Year of Historical Memory, was the action "Symbol of Unity" together with the "Patriots of Belarus". Trade union activists, together with residents and other public organizations, participated in motor races and rallies. During this time, commemorative plaques with a digital QR code have been installed on memorials, burial sites of the Great Patriotic War, on the site of burned villages. Today, more than a thousand monuments and memorials have already been digitized throughout the country.

Also, the trade-union activist "With all my heart" joined the republican action of the same name. This is a kind of marathon of good deeds for maximum care and attention in relation to the older generation.

Trade unions of the region readily responded to the call and joined the campaign "Help the children of Donbass go to school." All together they collected humanitarian aid for children from Ukraine.

On the eve of the 85th anniversary of the founding of the Gomel region, we held an action "Glorify the working man". The campaigns "Collect a portfolio for a first-grader", "Trade unions for children" are supported annually. Trade union organizations of all levels provide charitable assistance to those who need special care and attention, visit boarding schools, orphanages, including family-type ones, children's villages, boarding schools for disabled children, orphanages, children's social shelters, in which orphans, disabled children and children left without parental care are brought up. This year, the trade unions of the Gomel region sent over Br300,000 to congratulate children.

There are already a lot of traditions in the calendar of events: actions for the World Day of Occupational Safety, "Our Animal Breeder", the regional sports day of public associations of the Gomel region, honoring the leaders of the harvesting campaign, a charity event for the Day of the Elderly. Also every year on the anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, trade unions visit the affected areas. This year a visit to Narovlyansky took place.

In 2023, the Year of Peace and Creation, trade unions continue traditional forms of work and initiate new projects. By tradition, a number of events have been prepared for May Day to popularize working people, working professions, family and cultural values.

BELTA.