Lesson 6

Reading

Ex. 1. Complete this email with am, is, are, their, our or my.

Dear Colleagues

My name (1) ____________ Jessica Martin and I (2) _______the IT Support team leader. The IT Support team members (3) ________Mahmoud Al Banawy, Eli Ibrahim and Guido Pitteri. Mahmoud (4) _________our network administrator. Eli and Guido (5) ______ system maintenance officers. (6)_______ job is to keep our systems going. (7) _________job is to support you.

(8) ____contact number (9) 675 567 567.

Best regards

Jessica Martin

Writing

Ex. 2. Write a reply to the email in 8. Introduce yourself and three people in your group.

Speaking

Ex. 3. Work in pairs. Ask and answer questions about your jobs, companies and nationalities.

Example:

A: Where are you from?

B: I'm from ....

Ex.4. Read the text and say what the essence of employment law in Belarus.

Employment law for businesses in Belarus

If you’re planning to do business in Belarus, it’s important to know about all aspects of employment law.

As an initial step, it’s a good idea to find a local lawyer in Belarus who can help you understand the employment regulations and keep you up to date on any changes.

Employment contracts in Belarus

Employment contracts can be drawn up for:

• an indefinite term

• a fixed term (not more than 5 years)

• a fixed term for a specific piece of work

• for the duration of seasonal work

• a temporary period to cover the absence of the worker, whose job position remains open

Termination of contracts in Belarus

In Belarus, an employment contract can be terminated in the following circumstances:

• if both parties agree

• if the contract’s term expires except when neither of the parties wants the employment relations terminated

• if initiated by any party – the employer or the employee

• if the employee agrees to being transferred to another employer or gets transferred to an elective position

• if the employee disagrees with moving to another location to follow the employer, if the employee disagrees with new labor conditions, a new owner or re-organization of the company

• in circumstances independent of the will of the parties

• if the contract is terminated after a probationary period

Salaries in Belarus

Businesses in Belarus are free to decide on their own form, system, and size of labor remuneration depending on the collective labor agreement, the labor remuneration agreement, and the labor contract.

However, salaries paid by a vast majority of Belarusian enterprises are structured according to the tariff system.

There is also a system of state guarantees with regard to labor remuneration. The minimal salary is the key instrument. Its size is set and regularly indexed by the government.

Trade unions in Belarus

Traditionally trade unions have been active in Belarus. Over 4 million people are members of the trade unions or over 95% of the employed population.

The Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus (TUFB) is the core of the trade unions system. It comprises 15 trade unions focusing on specific branches of the economy, six oblast trade unions, and one trade union in the city of Minsk in addition to 137 district and city associations.

The Belarusian government has introduced strict requirements for the operation of trade unions, yet their influence has not been affected. They are still effective at protecting rights of the employed.

Legislation covering employment law in Belarus

Employment relations in Belarus are primarily regulated by:

• the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus

• the Labour Code

• law on trade unions

• the law on external labour migration

Ex.5. Find English equivalents of the following words.

Трудовое право, планировать вести бизнес, местный адвокат, трудовой договор, неопределенный срок, установленный срок, сезонная работа, расторжение контракта, по соглашению сторон, оплата труда, трудовое соглашение, в отношении, профсоюз, строгие требования, не пострадал, защищать права, трудовой кодекс; законодательство, регулирующее трудовое право.

Ex.6. Translate the sentences into Russian in written form.

1. If you’re planning to do business in Belarus, it’s important to know about all aspects of employment law.

2. Employment contracts can be drawn up for: an indefinite term, a fixed term, a temporary period.

3. In Belarus, an employment contract can be terminated in the following circumstances.

4. There is also a system of state guarantees with regard to labor remuneration. The minimal salary is the key instrument.

5. The Belarusian government has introduced strict requirements for the operation of trade unions, yet their influence has not been affected. They are still effective at protecting rights of the employed.

6. Employment relations in Belarus are primarily regulated by the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, the Labour Code, law on trade unions.