Customs vs. Belarusians
- 6.08.2019, 8:00
The EU goods are cheaper and of better quality.
August 2, new rules for imported goods for personal use came into force in Belarus. Norms for those who travel abroad more often than once a week have been tightened. Now they can import 5 kg of food, 1 liter of alcohol, 40 cigarettes.
Charter97.org asked a well-known blogger and activist from Brest, Aliaksandr Kabanau, to comment on the new import limits:
- The fact is that the Belarusian products cannot withstand competition with the EU ones. In addition, the authorities are increasingly concerned about how people live off. The real situation is that many people import goods from abroad to survive, and the authorities do not like it.
Other countries know how to effectively protect their markets. For example, I read when the Japanese car market began to win over the American one and the Japanese wanted to build their factories in the U.S., America did not impose any duties, but said: "Come on, competition is great!"
The Belarusian authorities are afraid of competition. They have their methods of fighting. Take, for example, second-hand shops. Instead of making cheap and high-quality clothes that would be in demand among the population, they believe: "No, we'd better close it down. Either you walk naked or you have to buy from us." This is their policy line.
- How important are shopping trips to Poland for residents of Brest?
- When I used to go to Poland, I stopped buying almost everything in Belarus. You go to the shop to buy something, and there is a click in your head. I would buy it in Poland - it's cheaper and of better quality.
In general, I didn't buy anything in Belarus except bread, milk and butter. When you start converting our prices into zlotys, you do not want to buy anything here.
You see, the authorities have hit ordinary people. They deprive them of essentials. People don't make money on it. It's all for personal use. Many people get on the train in Brest and drive to the nearest Polish settlement, for example, Terespol. They buy shampoo, food because it is cheaper. The thing is that people have to do it.
These limits will affect people with large families. They bring many goods for children. Of course, many people survive due to the vicinity of the border. They import coffee, chocolates, rods, TV sets. Everyone tries to save a penny. Primarily, the limits will hit vulnerable groups of the population.
- What does the fact that people have to go to neighbouring countries to buy essentials indicate?
- In my opinion, those who make such decisions, such as tightening the rules, are generally live in the clouds. It feels like they live on the 38th floor. They have created comfortable conditions for themselves and do not understand those who are on the ground. It concerns not only the border issue but everything. Unfortunately, many people do not think about it.
Look, few people in the country were shocked by the crosses demolition in Kurapaty. The authorities built a restaurant there and protect it. These events did not cause social unrest, but these are links in the chain. Kurapaty is an example, but it concerns many things. Two hours are not enough to enumerate them. The decree on "parasites", the retirement age increase, and the law on "deferments" are the links in one big chain. The authorities are testing people's patience. If there is no reaction, they tighten the screws.
You know, yesterday I talked to my fellow farmer from Lithuania. We had an interesting conversation:
- I cultivate fields and the state pays me money for it.
- Shall we tell our Belarusian farmers about it?
- What for?
- You will see their faces, their astonished look, bewilderment.
- How is it like in your country?
- Whether you cultivate or not, you should pay the state.
We are neighbouring countries. The thing is that our farmers, like other taxpayers, do not pay the state, but pay for officials' limousines, houses and wages!
First, they set the norm of five kilograms, then they will turn into three kilos and then 500 grams... This is the policy line of the Belarusian authorities. They do it step by step. If people swallow it, they go further. The fight against the battery plant in Brest is a hot-button issue in society. It is an example of how one can clearly say no. One should see the root of the problem, not try to bypass or avoid it.
- What can the import limit cuts lead to?
- For many people, the word smuggling means the movement of weapons or drugs across borders. Now there will be smugglers of poultry or coffee in Belarus.
If many people think it won't affect them, they will open their eyes as soon as a car is confiscated or they are fined. People need money. People are short of it, so they often go to the EU.
The authorities have other concerns - crowds of officials. Their number is increasing. There is a theory. The number of officials is replaced with their children who also need a place to work. They will not go to a factory to work! The theory is simple, but it is very similar to the truth. No country in the world has officials who live such a lush life as these in Belarus and Russia. It will likely be entrepreneurs, creative intellectuals, engineers.