Independent trade unions: inclusion of Belarus in Eastern Partnership program is premature

The Radio and Electronic Industry Trade Union calls on the European Union not to shut eyes on violation of workers’ rights in Belarus.

The Radio and Electronic Industry Trade Union issued a statement condemning the policy provided by the authorities towards the independent labour movement.

“Case 2090 on violation of workers’ rights in Belarus was instigated by the International Labour Organization in 2000,” the statement says. “In 2004, an ILO commission of international experts worked in Belarus on the ground of article 26 of the ILO Constitution and found facts of violation of ILO’s Convention 87 (concerning Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise). The Commission adopted recommendations for the Belarusian Government to resolve violations of workers’ rights. On a decision of the ILO Administrative Council, the Republic of Belarus has been included several times in the special paragraph in connection with failure to fulfil ILO’s recommendations to resolve violations of workers’ rights. Besides, Belarus was deprived of General Trade Preferences due to violation of the rights of the independent trade unions.”

The trade Union notes that the Belarusian authorities continue purposeful hindering development of independent trade union movement.

“Giving an objective estimation of the actions by the Government, we should notice that nothing has been made to eliminate violations of workers’ rights and fulfil requirements of Conventions 87 and 98 in 2008¬–2009,” representatives of the independent trade union write. “Workers can still be fired for membership in independent trade unions, trade unions organizations are not registered, any mass actions of workers are banned. In 2009, three primary trade union organizations in Homel, Vitsebsk, and Mahilou were not registered without lawful reasons. The Trade Union didn’t receive permit to hold any of 15 pickets against refusal to register primary trade union organizations. At the same time, workers are made to join the trade unions subjected to the Trade Union Federation of Belarus.”

Activists of the Radio and Electronic Trade Union call on the European Union not to base the integration with Belarus only on real-politics but to remember the fundamental European values, among them freedom of trade unions.

“In connection with the fact that rights of workers are still grossly violated in Belarus and ILO’s recommendations to resolve these violations are not fulfilled, the Council of the Radio and Electronic Trade Union thinks any development of Belarus–EU relations, including Belarus’s participation in the Eastern Partnership program, is premature and doesn’t motivate the Belarusian authorities to respect the rights workers, independent trade unions and ratified ILO’s conventions,” the activists say. “the Council of the Radio and Electronic Trade Union expresses a deep concern over the fact political activity of the EU countries in relation to Belarus is being carried out amid elimination of independent trade unions and hopes the European Union will adhere to the principles of democracy and respect for human rights and to establishing relations with the Republic of Belarus.”