Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko visited the MZKT military vehicles factory in Minsk on Monday amid the ongoing demonstrations over his disputed re-election.
Addressing the workers, Lukashenko asked “What do you need? You are the subjects of economic activity, of the economy. They try to persuade you to move on to politics. But remember, there, in politics, where you rushed to without understanding, different laws rule.”
He added that those who didn’t want to work were free to leave.
"If some people don’t want to work and want to leave, no one will despise them, no one will pressure them, please. Starting tomorrow or even today the doors are open. Please, excuse me for my unpopular phrasing. But we live at a time when we must speak honestly."
Belarus has been swept by anti-government protests following the August 9 disputed presidential election that saw Lukashenko re-elected for a sixth term.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko visited the MZKT military vehicles factory in Minsk on Monday amid the ongoing demonstrations over his disputed re-election.
Addressing the workers, Lukashenko asked “What do you need? You are the subjects of economic activity, of the economy. They try to persuade you to move on to politics. But remember, there, in politics, where you rushed to without understanding, different laws rule.”
He added that those who didn’t want to work were free to leave.
"If some people don’t want to work and want to leave, no one will despise them, no one will pressure them, please. Starting tomorrow or even today the doors are open. Please, excuse me for my unpopular phrasing. But we live at a time when we must speak honestly."
Belarus has been swept by anti-government protests following the August 9 disputed presidential election that saw Lukashenko re-elected for a sixth term.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko visited the MZKT military vehicles factory in Minsk on Monday amid the ongoing demonstrations over his disputed re-election.
Addressing the workers, Lukashenko asked “What do you need? You are the subjects of economic activity, of the economy. They try to persuade you to move on to politics. But remember, there, in politics, where you rushed to without understanding, different laws rule.”
He added that those who didn’t want to work were free to leave.
"If some people don’t want to work and want to leave, no one will despise them, no one will pressure them, please. Starting tomorrow or even today the doors are open. Please, excuse me for my unpopular phrasing. But we live at a time when we must speak honestly."
Belarus has been swept by anti-government protests following the August 9 disputed presidential election that saw Lukashenko re-elected for a sixth term.