European Union

Statement

International Labour Conference
111^th session

 Geneva, 5-16 June 2023

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General Affairs Committee

Belarus

Measures recommended by the Governing Body under article 33 of the ILO Constitution to secure compliance by the Government of Belarus with the recommendations of the commission of inquiry in respect of the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98)

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Geneva, 5 June 2023

- CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY -

Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries Albania*, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, the Republic of North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.

1. The EU and its Member States are committed to the promotion, protection, respect and fulfilment of human rights, including labour rights, such as Conventions 87 and 98. We strongly support the indispensable role of the ILO in developing, promoting, and supervising the application and implementation of ratified international labour standards, particularly fundamental Conventions.
2. The case we discuss today dates back to 1995 when the first complaint was made to the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association. As we have expressed at the 2022 session of the International Labour Conference, during the 346^th and 347^th sessions of the Governing Body, and on many previous occasions, we deeply regret the lack of meaningful progress by the authorities of Belarus towards the implementation of nearly 19-year old Commission of Inquiry recommendations from July 2004 as regards the implementation of ILO Conventions 87 and 98. Moreover, we continue to be deeply concerned about the steep deterioration of human rights, including labour rights, in Belarus since the 2020 presidential elections, which were neither free nor fair. These concerns have worsened further since Belarus’ involvement in Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
3. The EU and its Member States are alarmed by the disappearance of virtually all space for the safe existence of an independent trade union movement in Belarus. Given the close links between the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus and the authorities of Belarus, this organisation cannot be considered as representative of Belarusian workers. We join the call of the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations on the authorities of Belarus to abandon their policy of destroying the independent trade union movement and silencing the free voices of workers, as well as to engage with the ILO with a view to fully implementing all outstanding recommendations of the ILO supervisory bodies without further delay.
4. We are alarmed by the prison terms imposed by Belarusian courts on trade union leaders and members for participating in peaceful assemblies or for exercising their civil liberties pursuant to their legitimate trade union activities. We call for their immediate release and for dropping all related charges. The recent imprisonment of seventeen union leaders and members: Aliaksandr Yarashuk, ILO Governing Body member; Siarhei Antusevich; Hennadzy Fiadynich; Vatslau Areshka; Mikhail Hromau; Iryna But-Husaim; Miraslau Sabchuk; Yanina Malash; Vitali Chychmarou; Vasil Berasneu; Zinaida Mikhniuk; Aliaksandr Mishuk; Ihar Povarau; Yauhen Hovar; Artsiom Zhernak; Mikalaj Sharakh; and Andrei Khanevich; demonstrates that the situation keeps deteriorating. We urgently call on the authorities of Belarus to facilitate an ILO visit to ascertain the conditions of arrest and detention and the welfare of the detained trade unionists following the request of the Governing Body in autumn 2022. We reiterate the request made by the Committee of Experts and the Committee on Freedom of Association to repeal several provisions of the Criminal Code in order to bring them into conformity with their obligations regarding freedom of association.
5. Belarus must step up its efforts without further delay and aim for the full implementation of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry, thereby meeting the obligations it committed itself to by being a member of the ILO and in addition by voluntarily and willingly ratifying the fundamental Conventions of the ILO.
6. In light of the persistent failure to apply ILO fundamental Conventions 87 and 98 and to implement the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry, aggravated by recent deteriorations, it is time to step up action. Following the measures taken by the 347^th Governing Body and its recommendation to consider adopting additional measures in line with Article 33 of the ILO Constitution, we fully support the adoption of the draft resolution.
7. Chair, the EU and its Member States are committed to working with the ILO and its constituents to secure compliance by the authorities of Belarus with the Commission of Inquiry's recommendations. We call on all constituents to support the adoption of the draft resolution that will send a strong message to the authorities of Belarus that they must respect human and labour rights and engage in a constructive dialogue with the ILO and its constituents.

Thank you, Chair.

[*Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.]