On September 21, 2024, during the FNV International Solidarity Festival, representatives of Belarusian independent unions shared the history of their struggle for workers’ rights. Speaking at an event organized by the Netherlands Trade Union Confederation (FNV), Belarusian activists focused on the situation of the trade union movement in Belarus and the support provided by international organizations.
The Festival was addressed by Siarhei Antusevich, Vice-President of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP) dissolved by the authorities and a former political prisoner. He shared the story of his two years in prison and spoke of the difficult situation faced by dozens of other union activists who still remain behind bars.
The Belarusian section of the Festival was devoted to the issue of repressions against independent unions whose activities were banned and whose national TU center, the BKPD, was disbanded. The participants also showed interest in the position of the International Labour Organization (ILO) repeatedly raising the “Belarusian Issue” of violations of fundamental workers’ rights, and the role of international solidarity in the fight for the release of political prisoners in the country.
Apart from the event, the Festival had a special information area where guests could find more details about the current situation in Belarus and receive merchandise featuring calls for the release of political prisoners.
The cooperation of the FNV and the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions goes back more than 20 years with joint activities and workshops on workers’ rights protection and occupational health and safety.
The Festival provided an important platform for maintaining focus on the ongoing repressions against the independent trade union movement in Belarus and the need for reinforced international support.
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