Members of the National Farmers Federation of Moldova complain about the difficult conditions in which they have to work and call upon the authorities to restore the money stolen from the banking system, IPN reports, quoting a statement issued by the Federation.

“We, those who cultivate the country’s land, have always lived with hope that it will be better and that we will be able to ease our work by buying better tractors and plows, that the state will turn its face to the villages, which is to those who bring bread on the table. But our hope is empty and those who govern us simply ignore us,” says the statement.

The signatories note that those who stole the money from the banking system raised the interest rates on loans and the farmers continue to earn money from the kilogram of wheat or grapes. “They left us with non-raised pensions and with unrepaired roads. The theft of the US$1 billion led to higher prices of products, electricity and gas. Only our work remained cheap, as always,” reads the statement.

The signatories also say that the over 13 billion lei provided as loans by the National Bank under state guarantee will be repaid by the people. “Interest of another 7-8 billion lei is added to the 13 billion lei at a time when we, the peasants, still believe that the authorities will have pity for the country’s people and will support them, will help develop agriculture and the state. What kind of state do we have when this leaves the thieves unpunished and puts the whole burden on the people?” these wrote.

The members of the National Farmers Federation of Moldova said they will be now more united than ever and will defend their rights.