European Union: Belarusians Have the Right to Strike

Brussels called on Minsk to respect workers' fundamental rights.

The European Union is closely following what is happening in Belarus and reminds the legality of the right to strike, said Peter Stano, spokesman for EU head of diplomacy Josep Borrell, Interfax reports.

"We are following the call for a general strike and demonstrations very closely. And we want to remind you that the right to strike is a fundamental right that must be respected," the spokesman said on Monday at a briefing in Brussels, in response to a request for comment on events in Belarus.

"We continue to monitor the situation in Belarus," Stano noted. "As we have repeatedly stated, we are concerned about the use of violence against peaceful protesters and, in general, the actions of the Belarusian authorities, which still do not engage in an inclusive dialogue to find a solution to the crisis in the country."

Answering an additional question about the next package of sanctions against Belarus, which is expected to include Lukashenka, Borrell's spokesman said that "work continues" on these restrictive measures.

"The Council (EU) is discussing the second stage of these sanctions. As soon as an agreement is reached on the final list, the sanctions will be approved and announced," Stano explained.