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9 January, 2002Government passes ruling in contradiction to the country's Constitution, decisions of the Constitutional Court, Labour Code and trade union laws.
BELARUS: Government authorities in Belarus are making new attempts to oppress the independent trade union movement in that country and place it firmly under state control. In an attack on the unions' financial basis, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus passed a ruling in December stipulating that "trade union membership fees shall be paid personally by workers without deducting them from their wages."
Although the decree, No. 1804, has been labelled "Measures to Protect the Rights of Trade Union Members," its real purpose is the opposite, say the trade unions, and thus, with the persuasion of the country's president, Alexander Lukashenko, the government is continuing in its efforts to weaken the trade unions.
Reacting to this new threat against workers' and trade union rights, the president of the IMF-affiliated Automobile and Agricultural Machinery Workers' Union (AAM), Aliaksandr Bukhvostau, insists that the Belarus metalworkers' trade unions will persist in their struggle for an independent trade union movement. "We categorically protest against the actions of the Belarus government and appeal for solidarity support."
The IMF calls upon its affiliated organisations to protest against this latest action of the Belarus government. Letters can be addressed to:
Although the decree, No. 1804, has been labelled "Measures to Protect the Rights of Trade Union Members," its real purpose is the opposite, say the trade unions, and thus, with the persuasion of the country's president, Alexander Lukashenko, the government is continuing in its efforts to weaken the trade unions.
Reacting to this new threat against workers' and trade union rights, the president of the IMF-affiliated Automobile and Agricultural Machinery Workers' Union (AAM), Aliaksandr Bukhvostau, insists that the Belarus metalworkers' trade unions will persist in their struggle for an independent trade union movement. "We categorically protest against the actions of the Belarus government and appeal for solidarity support."
The IMF calls upon its affiliated organisations to protest against this latest action of the Belarus government. Letters can be addressed to:
- A.G.Lukashenko
President of the Republic of Belarus
Administration of the President of Belarus
Fax: ++375/17 2260610
E-mail (from the official website of the president): www.president.gov.by/eng/president/
- Council of Ministers
Fax: ++375/17 2226665
- Constitutional Court
Fax: ++375/17 2278012
Please send copies to:
- AAM
Fax: ++375/17 2239792
E-mail: [email protected]
- Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus
Fax: ++375/17 2104337
- IMF
Fax: ++41/22 3085055
E-mail: [email protected]