Warsaw: in defence of tenants dignity

On Wendsday 21st this month number of people from such organizations like: Red Collective-Left Alternative, trade union August 80 and New Left participated in a picket in defence of tenants’ rights organized by the campaign “Flat is a right, not a merchandise” which took place in front of Ministry of Justice.

The tenants from Warsaw who are being supported by the campaign were also present at the picket. There were people from Konduktorska 18 and Marysińska 22 streets. In both cases during the winter tenants were deprived of central heating by the owner of buildings were they live.
There was a petition given by attendants of the picket to Minister of Justice Zbigniew Ziobro with demandings of resolute actions regarding the buildings owners’ illegal acts. The participants also emphasized the fact, that the court adjudicated that the central heating is to be turn on again in the building of in Konduktorska 18 st., but the owner refused to do it and neither police nor bailiff are able to force him to fulfill the court’s decision.

The participants also demanded the proposed by PiS (Law and Justice, rulling party in Poland) before elections project of statute, giving the tenants the right to enter directly into contract with caterers of heat, current and water. This right would eliminite the situations, when the owners can cut the power and water even when tenants pay for it.
Before the elections the deputies of PiS used to tell much about the improvement of tenants’ condition. Now, when they have the power, they forgot about the promises they gave to the people – said Andrzej Smosarski from RC-LA.