If ILO’s recommendations aren’t been fulfiled, sanctions will be tighten
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14:23, — Politics
A report on fulfilment the ILO’s recommendations by Belarus was heard yesterday in Geneva. The question was severe: if Belarus doesn’t fulfil the recommendations, the sanctions will be strengthened.
The Governing Body took the decision to continue the discussion of Belarusian situation in March 2008. But, as Aliaksandr Yarashuk, leader of the Democratic Trade Unions Congress, said to Charter’97 press center, it was said that sanctions will be tightened, if Belarus doesn’t fulfil the ILO’s recommendations. Lukashenka’s regime has already lost the EU preferences due to violation of rights of trade unions.
- What do you think about the decision to postpone the study of Belarusian issue till March 2008?
- In my view, the fact, that information about fulfilment the recommendations by Belarusian government will be heard at the session of the ILO Governing Body, is surely very important. Taking into account that this procedure has become a “long-playing record”, there is an advantage, that at least the nearest months we will have an opportunity to act. It is obvious for us that the government is really concerned about relation with ILO, and thus about relation with the European Union.
- You say, the authorities are anxious. But does this change the situation with trade unions?
- The main thing hasn’t occurred. A law on trade unions hasn’t been adopted. It is dangerous for the official Trade Union Federation (TUF) no less that for us, if taking into account that one day the TUF can like to play independent role. In this case the trade unions will be included into very tight political system of the state, which is characterised by serious control by the authorities, including local administrations.
The law hasn’t been adopted, because the authorities do seriously fear the worsening of relation with the ILO. Probably, they understand: if they go on banning independent trade unions, it can’t be excluded that the EU will react and impose new more serious economic sanctions.
- What can you say about the situation with independent trade unions on state enterprises?
- It is ambiguous. There are organisations, which feel constant pressure – they are organisation of Joint Stock Company “Grodno-Azot”, organisation of independent trade union of JSC “Polimir.” We think it is a clear provocation in the situation when we can speak about interest of normalisation of the relation with ILO. At the same time i want to note, that we have good relation with the leadership of some enterprises. As an example I can name the Independent Trade Union of Minors in Saligorsk, organisation of the independent Trade Union on Mozyr Oil Refinery Enterprise. Moreover, this year we have managed to settle 12 contracts in comparison with 10 ones, signed last year.
- Does this imply that Belarus can receive back the preferences next year if it observes rights of trade unions?
- These things are indirectly interconnected. The procedure of studying the issues of violation the rights of trade unions at ILO sessions and the destiny of preferences aren’t directly connected. The other thing is that both the EU and ILO are oriented by, first of all, ILO’s opinion when taking the decisions. If the ILO recommendations are not fulfilled in the nearest months and the next wave of pressure on independent trade unions begins, the Governing Body of ILO can take any decision. Including institution of a procedure that is set in the article ¹ 33 of the ILO statute, which says:”ILO address to the governments of international community to stop any dealing with government of the country.”
It means the total international isolation. By the way, a possibility of taking such a decision wasn’t excluded on this session of the Governing Body, which took place yesterday. Our government hasn’t given a certain answer: whether it is going to fulfil the ILO’s recommendations or not. The events in March depend on the positions of the Belarusian government. One thing if it makes even small progress in fulfilment of the recommendations. But if it is be an ignore of the recommendations fulfilment, or an adoption of a law in that odious version, it will be a direct precondition that ILO will take the most severe decisions in relation to Belarus, and as a result, the EU’s positions will be tightened, too.
