"Sotsprof" picketers' "urge not to reorganize Maikop marketplaces

Today, the city of Maikop, the capital of Adygea, hosted a picket, organized by the regional association of trade unions "Sotsprof". The protesters asked to address the problems of minor businesses, lack of places in kindergartens and delays in indexing workers' wages.

The action was attended by about 50 people: students, pensioners and working people, including entrepreneurs.

The picketers focused on the issues relating to the entry into force since January 1, 2013, of the Federal Law No. 271, according to which trade with the use of temporary constructions at marketplaces will be banned.

"The first victims of such innovations may be minor entrepreneurs and tenants of retail places in marketplaces, and, above all, those who trade in foodstuffs," said Zaurbek Shu, Chairman of the "Sotsprof" of Adygea.

According to his story, the law makes such privatization model possible, when those who work in the marketplace and rent places may found themselves "outside", not even able to participate in privatization. In his opinion, only very rich people will be able to buy shares.

Mr Shu has added that the number of retail markets is already shrinking – until recently, there were 32 of them in Maikop (with 5886 trading places); now, 15 of them remain (with 5040 trading places); and after the entry of the law into force only 11 will survive.

Also, the organizers of the picket turned to the problems of lack of places in kindergartens and delayed indexation of workers' wages in accordance with the growth in the consumer price index in the region. According to their story, these are now the most pressing social problems of the society both in Maikop and throughout the country.

"The ideas put forward by the organizers are very adequate," Elena Malovichko, a picketer, has shared her opinion. "When there are protest forces, they don't allow the authorities to calm down and push them forward."