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11 August, 2005ICEM News release No. 15/2002
Belarus unions will stage a Day of Action tomorrow (Thursday) to defend their basic labour rights.
Trade unions are under mounting pressure in Belarus. The country's President is establishing a monopoly over political power.
Inflation has already eaten away the temporary rise in salaries. 36% of companies are no longer profitable and this figure is rapidly increasing. Non-payment of wages is becoming commonplace and unemployment is looming.
It is no coincidence that the Belarus unions, the only remaining democratic institution in this society, have become the prime target of this totalitarian power.
Over the past few years, unions in Belarus have faced unprecedented state pressure: deliberately bureaucratic recognition procedures; attempts to replace legitimate union leadership with government puppets; threats against union activists; union-bashing at all levels; a ban on international assistance to trade unions; the creation of "yellow" unions; and a ban on the check-off of union dues.
The unions now seriously fear the confiscation of their property, and possibly even the outright banning of trade unions.
The current Belarus regime is openly flouting the Conventions of the UN's International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The Action Day this Thursday 28 March will be held by the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus and is supported by the Congress of Free Trade Unions. Both federations include unions affiliated to the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM). The ICEM and other union internationals are backing the Action Day.
Trade unions are under mounting pressure in Belarus. The country's President is establishing a monopoly over political power.
Inflation has already eaten away the temporary rise in salaries. 36% of companies are no longer profitable and this figure is rapidly increasing. Non-payment of wages is becoming commonplace and unemployment is looming.
It is no coincidence that the Belarus unions, the only remaining democratic institution in this society, have become the prime target of this totalitarian power.
Over the past few years, unions in Belarus have faced unprecedented state pressure: deliberately bureaucratic recognition procedures; attempts to replace legitimate union leadership with government puppets; threats against union activists; union-bashing at all levels; a ban on international assistance to trade unions; the creation of "yellow" unions; and a ban on the check-off of union dues.
The unions now seriously fear the confiscation of their property, and possibly even the outright banning of trade unions.
The current Belarus regime is openly flouting the Conventions of the UN's International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The Action Day this Thursday 28 March will be held by the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus and is supported by the Congress of Free Trade Unions. Both federations include unions affiliated to the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM). The ICEM and other union internationals are backing the Action Day.