Announcement

Belarus: Government's Attack on Trade Unions Reached Its Peak

• October, 10-11 - Congress of the Belorussian Trade Union Federation
• October, 18-20 - Mission of the International Labor Organization
• October, 19 - Massive Trade Union protest actions throughout the country

On October 10-11, a Congress of the Belorussian Trade Union Federation (FTUB) will be held in Minsk, marking a decisive step in the struggle of Belarus working people for their rights.

The Belarus Trade Unions have been under persistent pressure of President Lukashenko and his Administration. The Presidential power structures have been trying to establish their own control over the election process and to replace independent trade union leaders.

The Governmental pressure on the Belarus Trade Unions became stronger, in particular, on the eve of the FTUB Congress and the ILO Mission visit to the country. On September 27, following a formal pretext, the Government closed down the FTUB bank account threatening to initiate criminal procedures against trade union leaders. In the context of the ongoing pressure a blockage of the FTUB office is not unlikely.

Trade Unions of Russia and the rest of the world are expressing their support to the Belorussian Trade Unions through participating in the international campaign of letters of protest to the Administration of President Lukashenko (www.trud.org/belarusprotest.htm).

On October 2, over 1000 trade union leaders and shop-floor activists of Minsk enterprises had their meeting in the FTUB office in order to express their support to the Federation in the struggle against the State interference into the trade union affairs. The participants passed a decision to undertake massive protest actions in defense of trade union rights all over the country.

The action is provisionally scheduled on October 19, which may coincide in time with the ILO Mission coming to Belarus to consider an official Complaint submitted by the Belorussian Trade Unions to the ILO.

The ILO Mission headed by Kari Tapiola, ILO Executive Director, will visit Belarus on October 18-20.

For more information please contact:

tel.: + 7 (095) 938-8617

e-mail: belarus@trud.org

Web-site: www.trud.org/belarusprotest.htm

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