Belarusian opposition expecting approval of ILO measures against Minsk

June 12, BPN. Belarusian opposition leader Śviatlana Cichanoŭskaja expects a “historic decision” from the International Labor Organization (ILO) regarding violations of workers’ rights in Belarus, her aide Franak Viačorka has told BPN.

The ILO’s 111th session is taking place in Geneva from June 5 to 16. The Belarusian Coordinating Council for Political Crisis Settlement issued a statement urging the ILO to hold Belarusian authorities accountable for their failure to respect workers’ rights.

It also urged the ILO Conference to consider sanctions under Article 33 of the ILO Charter in response to the persecution of workers in Belarus and constant violations of their rights.

A positive decision would be another “step in isolating and pressuring the regime, its accomplices, and its sources of profit,” Viačorka noted. It may lay the groundwork for trade, economic and political restrictions, he added.

Meanwhile, Minsk is lobbying to “soften the wording” of the decision on Belarus, he added.

The ILO will reportedly discuss Belarus on June 12 with the final decision likely to be taken later.