Lukashenko nominated delegate to convention of pro-government trade union federation :: Charter'97 :: News

Ten labor union organizations have nominated Aleksandr Lukashenko as a delegate to a convention of the pro-government Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus (FTUB). The Belarusian leader has yet to decide what organization to represent at the forum, FTUB Chairman Leonid Kozik, who once held a top post in the Presidential Administration, told reporters in Minsk on Tuesday. "We have sent a special letter to the president asking him to make up his mind on the matter," he added.

A total of 446 delegates, including representatives of 28 national trade unions, are expected to attend the September 19-20 convention of the federation, which critics say has toed the line of the Belarusian leader after Mr. Kozik`s election in 2002. The forum also will be attended by officials representing international and foreign labor union organizations that maintain contacts with the FTUB.

"The convention is not a festival but a routine event for us," the trade union boss said. "That`s why we even have to politely reject applications from some who want to attend. The hall has only 600 seats and there will be just not enough space if all those wishing to attend do come."
Delegates to the convention will sum up the performance of the FTUB in the period since the previous convention and elect the organization`s leadership. The event also is to result in the federation`s five-year action plan and identify FTUB priority activities.