According to reports by the Belarusian National News Agency on the 21st, President Lukashenko stated at a video conference held during the annual grain harvest on that day that he had issued an order: government workers who are slack in their work or violate labor discipline during the autumn harvest period will be conscripted and sent to duty along the Ukrainian border.
Lukashenko said at the meeting: "There is already a shortage of labor. Why use handcuffs to arrest people? Please convey my instructions to the Minister of Defense: all those who are not competent should be conscripted and sent to the forest areas on the southern border. Special operations units have been deployed along the border with Ukraine as per my orders. This does not mean we are preparing to attack anyone. We will not initiate hostilities; we are only protecting our own safety. The conditions there are harsh, with mosquitoes rampant. Send these people there to serve as ordinary soldiers. After a week of training, they will learn how to operate grenade launchers and machine guns, and then be assigned to special operations units."
He added, “Anyone who fails to complete their tasks will be sent there. This is my order. All government officials, state executive committees, and district executive committee members must go to the farms and operate tractors and combine harvesters. If they can’t tighten screws, they will work as auxiliary workers, responsible for transporting supplies. Those who refuse to comply will be sent to join the army or stationed in the forest areas. There is also a need for people there. This applies to both public officials and ordinary people who are unwilling to work.”
Lukashenko said that Belarusians always believe that even when wars break out around the world and some politicians act irrationally, “we must still cultivate, sow, and harvest food. Whether in wartime or in peaceful times, people need to have enough to eat.”
He emphasized that the autumn harvest is not just an evaluation of farmers' efforts throughout the year, but also a solid guarantee for national food security and a pillar industry for earning foreign exchange. "To ensure an adequate supply of food and meat for the country, to maintain a continuous supply of raw materials for processing enterprises, to provide livestock farms and complexes with worry-free feed, and to successfully complete national procurement tasks, every worker must fulfill their duties and ensure that there are no mistakes or omissions in their work."
According to the Baitong News Agency, Lukashenko has ordered the implementation of 'strictest measures' regarding all issues related to the autumn harvest work. The internal affairs department has uncovered a number of violations and disciplinary issues during the autumn harvest, including theft of fuel and lubricants, stealing of agricultural machinery parts and spare parts, as well as bribery. Additionally, a total of 150 employees who were drunk while at work were identified.
At the meeting, the Chairman of the National Control Committee of Belarus also reported issues such as uncompleted equipment, false data reporting, insufficient spare parts, downtime, and inadequate staffing for mechanical operators. The preparation for grain drying equipment and warehouses was not fully completed. There were also problems with poor harvest quality, excessive losses, and violations of regulations during grain transportation. Instances of violating technical procedures during the storage of feed occurred from time to time.
Lukashenko responded that chaos, alcohol abuse, and theft must not be tolerated. "This is absolutely not allowed. You have this week and next week to take the most stringent measures and report back. There’s no need for me to explain what fuel, spare parts, and equipment mean to us. We must ensure both order and safety."
When talking about staffing issues, Lukashenko said, “Everyone must be mobilized. Everyone wants to eat, and they want to eat well. Working in the fields is better than fighting. This is our ‘war’ of peace. Act now, let people work, and don’t be stingy with providing them with the necessary resources.”
He emphasized that the responsible persons of various agricultural management units must delve into the fields to coordinate the autumn harvest work, and it is strictly prohibited to command from offices.
"I will not interfere in your affairs and I will not force you to dismantle the combine harvester and tractor. This is the responsibility of every leader, at least the district executive committee chairman. But if the work is not done well, the combine harvester or other equipment will be idle, which will be a reason for accountability. The task must be completed on time." he added.
According to a report by the Minister of Agriculture at the meeting, this year Belarus needs to harvest 2.4 million hectares of grain and bean crops, along with rapeseed and corn. Experts estimate that the crop yield will be no less than last year's level: about 8 million tons of grain, 2.4 million tons of corn, and 1.2 million tons of rapeseed are planned to be harvested. The task also includes completing the flax harvesting by August 1st.
