International Labor Conference advises ILO members to reconsider ties with Minsk

June 13, BPN. The International Labor Conference passed a resolution yesterday urging the Belarusian authorities to allow an International Labor Organization (ILO) mission to visit the country, according to an online stream of the event.

The resolution adopted by delegates in Geneva calls for regular reviews of the situation in Belarus until the authorities comply with ILO conventions on freedom of association and collective bargaining.

The resolution also asks ILO members to reconsider their ties with the Belarusian government and to protect trade unionists and human rights defenders who may face persecution in Belarus.

The ILO, a United Nations agency, has been pressing Minsk for years to stop harassing and detaining independent trade union leaders and activists. The government jailed dozens of trade union activists after the 2020 presidential election that sparked mass protests against longtime ruler Alaksandr Łukašenka.

Belarusian Labor Minister Iryna Kaścievič and pro-government trade union chief Michaił Orda attended the conference. Orda dismissed the resolution as cynical, BelTA reported.