Konstantin* worked for many years in the petrochemical industry. It was a stable job and a predictable future that came to an end after the 2020 elections. Today, the man cannot leave Belarus and cannot find employment because he did not stay on the sidelines.
When mass beatings, detentions, and torture began, when it became clear that this was happening at the instigation of the authorities, I could not just go to work and pretend that nothing was going on. I became involved in protest activity at the enterprise: I joined the strike committee, helped collect appeals and demands from colleagues, and took part in workers’ actions. Together we went out to protests; I recorded videos and sent them to one of the large Telegram channels that at the time was publishing materials from protests across the country.
“I was not arrested, and that was a miracle.”
We all understood that we were taking risks, especially when they started detaining everyone who had even the slightest connection to the strike committee and the protests. I avoided detention; I was miraculously not arrested. I worked until the end of my contract. Formally, it was simply not renewed; in reality, it was made clear to me that I would not be able to continue working at my enterprise or find another job in my field because I had ended up “on file.”
There were several months of odd jobs and searching: I worked as a taxi driver and agreed to temporary options. At first, the money barely covered expenses; later, it stopped being enough altogether, debts began to accumulate, and I went to Russia to earn money there. Finding work in my field was unrealistic, so I took whatever I could find. Mostly it was construction work. The conditions were poor, the work was hard; I saved on everything, including food. I did not spare myself because I was desperate and thought only about earning money and returning.
After a couple of years on construction sites, problems with my stomach and teeth began. Treatment was unaffordable, and several teeth had to be removed instead of treated.
“I came back, but they still won’t let me work.”
In the summer of last year, I returned to Belarus again, and it was as if I had never left. I started looking for work, agreed to any options, but only temporary offers came up. Stable employment never appeared. It turned out that my “biography” is still hanging over me. No one says anything directly. They just don’t hire me.
As a result, I ended up where I started – from debts and with damaged health. Without minimal respite and support, I simply will not be able to get out of this situation. Right now, I urgently need a point of support. I remember what solidarity we had during the days of protest and really hope that I can feel it again, so that I can get back on my feet.
*This is an anonymous story. For security purposes, we have changed the hero's name. The image is generated using AI.
Fundraising goal
€1900
€500 – medical treatment and dentistry
€500 – repayment of debts
€900 – housing and basic living expenses while I look for work