By Nahia Sanzo
March 24: Union members from 14 cities in the Lugansk People’s Republic (LC) demonstrated yesterday in the center of Lugansk to enforce one of the points of the Minsk agreement signed on February 12, 2015, by representatives of Ukraine and leaders of the People’s Republics.
The eighth point of the agreement requires “determine the modalities for the full restoration of socioeconomic relations, including social benefits such as pensions and other payments (payments and receipts, payment of monthly bills, renewal of the tax system according to the legal framework of Ukraine).”
At a press conference the day after the agreement was signed, Yuriy Sergeyev, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Nations, responded that the payment of pensions and wages remained impossible, citing the possibility of theft. On March 10, a delegation of deputies of the Ukrainian parliament insisted on the same idea, but this time the answer was more specific: the issue is resolved only when Ukraine regains control over the territory.
Since then, Ukraine not only has not lifted the economic blockade officially introduced in November, although in practice the payment of pensions and salaries had been interrupted in previous months, but it has hardened. The banking system remains blocked, while pensioners have to travel to areas controlled by the Kiev government in order to receive their pensions. The movement of people into these areas is prohibited unless authorized by a permit previously obtained in Ukrainian areas, so that pensioners have to travel through Russian territory.
Contrary to the letter and spirit of the agreement in Minsk, the demarcation line now functions as a border. Allegedly due to the possibility of a rebel offensive, the Ukrainian authorities admit having destroyed one of the last two bridges connecting the LC to the area under Ukrainian control, making transit even more difficult.
TASS reports that the Lugansk People’s Republic estimated the amount unpaid by the Ukrainian government in wages and pensions at $ 510 million.
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| ‘Thanks, Kiev, for hunger and unemployment’ |
Original article: Lugansk Information Center
LUGANSK, Novorossiya. Representatives of unions in 14 locations in the Lugansk People’s Republic demonstrated on March 23 condemning the economic blockade imposed by the authorities in Kiev. The people demanded that Petro Poroshenko and Arseniy Yatseniuk lift the economic, social and transportation blockade against the Lugansk region, pay unpaid wages and social benefits and implement the ceasefire agreements signed in Minsk.
The protesters carried signs with slogans like “No to genocide in Lugansk, Poroshenko!”, “Against double standards,” “Love will conquer hate,” “Thanks, Kiev, for hunger and unemployment,” “Against economic and financial blockade,” ” We demand the implementation of the Minsk agreements” and” Trade Unions of the Lugansk People’s Republic with the people.”
Unions also submitted a written request addressed to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko which says:
“This cruel and senseless war waged against the people of Donbass has already claimed the lives of more than 6,000 innocent civilians. The war has ruined millions of lives, including children, and caused disabling injuries to hundreds of people. Thousands of civilians of the Lugansk region have become refugees in order to save their children or parents from this war.
“Despite the horror of war, labor groups have not abandoned their jobs and continue to exercise their functions. For you we are subhuman and work animals. You who gave orders to kill continue pursuing the policy of the ‘war party’ in a country that was previously united.
“Poroshenko! The responsibility for all this suffering, tears and pain of the people rests with you. Stop the genocide of ordinary people! Our demands are legitimate and fair and are based on international law.”
The document will be presented to representatives of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which in turn should give it to the Ukrainian authorities.
Red Star News + Translations 