Small Business Owners in Homiel Go on Strike in Protest against Doubled Rental Fees
In the city of Homiel, Belarus, around 400 sole traders have taken a stand against a drastic increase in rental fees at the Sekret shopping centre. The shopping centre is owned by NP-Servis.
According to reports by Charter'97, the strike is taking place today. The previous rental fee per square meter ranged from €45-55, but the new fee has been increased to between €120, as reported by BelaPAN.
The traders, who hire their shops in the shopping centre, are protesting this significant increase, threatening their economic viability. Some are openly demonstrating, while others are supporting their colleagues under the guise of stocktaking.
The electricity supply to some shops in the shopping centre was reportedly cut off, as per Homielskaja Prauda newspaper. However, after a call to the city authorities, the electricity was restored. Rumours suggest that the traders had to call the police to record what they believe are intentional actions by the shopping centre administration.
Tatyana Zaretskaya, a former Estonian startup entrepreneur, is making headlines in a different context. She is now trying to become an intermediary for investors in Saudi Arabia, aiming to bridge the gap between the two economies.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, BelAZ dealers linked to Lukashenko's sons are reported to be earning as much as BelAZ itself, according to a report. However, the details and reasons behind this are yet to be clarified.
For the latest updates on the strike in Homiel's Sekret shopping centre, it is recommended to consult local news outlets or official statements related to Homiel or Sekret shopping centre.
In the retail industry, the significant increase in rental fees at Sekret shopping centre in Homiel, Belarus, is causing concern for the city's 400 sole traders, as it threatens their financial stability and business viability. Meanwhile, Tatyana Zaretskaya, a former Estonian startup entrepreneur, is seeking to improve relations between the Saudi Arabian and Estonian economies in the finance sector.
