On June 7, in Geneva, within the framework of the annual International Labour Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the meeting of the Standards Application Committee was held in a hybrid mode.
The main issue (which was discussed by representatives of the governments, employers and trade unions around the world) is the difficult situation in Belarus.
Irakli Petriashvili, as the President of the Pan-European Regional Council of the International Trade Union Confederation and the Chairman of the Georgian Trade Unions Confederation, discussed the processes related to the persecution of Trade Unions in Belarus and called on the committee to make an appropriate and adequate decision.
“In terms of Trade Union and Freedom of Association, the situation in Belarus is the most difficult in the whole region. Their government does not want to follow the recommendations of the International Labour Organization. On the contrary, they suppress fundamental freedom, any collective action and free voice. Surprisingly, Iarashuk, a member of the International Labour Organization governing body, Antusevich, BKDP leaders are in custody along with other union leaders. Not only do they experience psychological pressure, but they are treated like criminals. Their government, meanwhile, ignores the International Labour Organization’s numerous involvement in their release. The Trade Unions have been declared a destructive, extremist organization and there is clearly an order to end the BKDP and its organizations. Several independent unions have already been declared illegal. “I think the Norms committee should also give clear and firm assessment to Lukashenko regime’s these abnormal actions as the Freedom of Association Committee did earlier this year” – Irakli Petriashvili said.
Recall, on April 19, 2022, the leadership of the Congress of the Trade Unions of Belarus – President Alexander Iarashuk, Vice-President Siarhey Antusevich, President of the Free Trade Unions of Metallurgy – Alexander Bukhovstau and President of the Free Trade Unions of Belarus – Mikhail Sharak have been arrested.