IndustriALL Representative: "Trade Union Case" in Belarus Is a Political Order

The authorities bring charges against the most active union leaders.

In late July, Vadim Borisov, the regional representative of IndustriALL Global Union for the CIS, visited Minsk. At the meeting held in the REP office, Mr Borisov spoke about the situation in the international trade union movement and answered several questions of PC editorial board, praca-by.info reports. He voiced IndustriALL's concern about the adopted innovations in the Labour Code of Belarus and the ongoing pressure on independent trade unions.

Speaking about the development of the "REP trade union case", Vadim Borisov drew attention to the recent alarming trend in the so-called CIS region:

- Judging by court cases, which have been opened against trade unionists in our region over the last two or three years, it is obvious that the authorities are trying to punish not for trade union activity, but financial issues. In fact, as a rule, these accusations are fabricated. The example of Kazakhstan, Russia and, of course, Belarus proves this.

From the very beginning, the REP case, which we call "the trade union case", was represented by the government as the case of tax evasion, although not a single fact has proved it. Nevertheless, some international organizations seem to have taken a timeout, since tax evasion is indeed regulated by the Criminal Code. But an increasing number of facts in our region shows that the accusations of alleged financial machinations are made against the most active trade union members.

This encourages international organizations, including the International Labour Organization, to consider these cases more thoroughly. I think it is no coincidence that the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association requested all the materials, all the details of the REP case. This will help us to make sure that there is, in fact, no financial background, but rather a certain political order. We see that persecution for trade union activity is coloured with some financial and criminal motives.

- Despite the position of international organizations, the pressure on independent trade unions continues. What other steps can international bodies take in this direction?

- I understand that everyone wants everything to be done here and now. We rely on justice, but a peculiarity of international organizations is that if they consider something seriously, this powerful machine keeps on working. It may take more time, but in the vast majority of cases, the right decision is made and trend unions obtain support, while governments are pressed. As the economy of Belarus is mainly of closed nature, international organizations lack opportunities to exert economic pressure on it as, for example, on the countries of the Pacific-Asian region.

For example, when around forty trade union members were arrested in Bangladesh, IndustriALL Global Union launched a campaign. We addressed multinational corporations that said they would ignore World Expo-2018, which was held in the country. In that case, both the state and its companies would lose much money because the exhibition brings multi-billion dollar contracts and the issue was quickly resolved. Unfortunately, Belarus is less vulnerable due to its isolation. IndustriaALL can appeal to the government, Lukashenka's Administration and offer to improve the relations between Belarus and the EU countries if the "trade union case" is closed. Our proposal is very pragmatic, but it requires the government to take appropriate steps as well. So far, we appeal to those conventions ratified by the Republic of Belarus, but still neglected by it.

- What are the relations of trade union associations and the structures of the European Union?

- We have established long-term permanent relations, regular information sharing, and regular meetings. As for the "trade union case", it was a unique case when representatives of the four largest trade union associations, i.e. the International Trade Union Confederation, the European Trade Union Confederation, the IndustriaALL Global Union and IndustriaALL-Europe, met with the leadership of the European Commission and discussed the case. It is noteworthy that the European Commission is well informed even about the details. Thus, our main task is to inform, since we cannot dictate to European governments, intergovernmental structures. We simply provide unbiased information.

- What plans does IndustrialALL have in Belarus for the near future?

- We intend to work hard with all our four affiliates. There is a programme on seminars, organizing. We believe that the unions and IndustriaALL Global Union do not violate either international norms or national laws. The protection of workers' rights, trade union rights should available under all regimes, even under a dictatorship.