“No to Sanctions, Yes to Trade Union Consolidation and Social Partnership”. Statement of the Participants of the International Conference in Belarus
“One can’t defend global peace by dividing it. Sanctions are always a step towards another escalation. Towards social upheavals. Peace cannot be based on economic wars and blockades,” the statement says. “Workers want stability, work without artificial barriers and restrictions; they want to ensure a future for themselves and their children. They need policies that promote equality and sustainable development.”
The document was signed by professional leaders, economists, diplomats and scientists from 28 countries. They believe that the world’s trade unions should unite against sanctions: against violations of people’s rights to fair and favorable working conditions, to social guarantees and medical care, and to a decent standard of living in general.
“The International Labour Organization, as a specialized protection institution, must stop the practice of illegal unilateral enforcement measures that contradict international law and the Charter of the ILO. The ILO must take a historically important step for the world’s workers and begin to counteract sanctions.”
GCTU News
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GCTU Discusses Amendments to Confederation’s Charter
On September 15, Moscow hosted a meeting of the Working Group on Preparing Amendments and Additions to the Charter of the General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU) at the Trade Unions Palace of Labor. Participants reviewed proposals from member organizations regarding necessary changes to the Confederation’s founding document.
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Wage Standards in the CIS Must Reach a New Level
On September 10, the General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU) launched the development of a unified methodology for calculating the minimum consumer budget. The first meeting of the GCTU Executive Committee’s temporary working group on this initiative took place in Moscow.
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A Unified Registry of Collective Agreements Should Be Established in the CIS
A unified registry of collective agreements in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) will enable the regulation of labor relations at a cross-border level, according to the General Confederation of Trade Unions. The proposal by GCTU to include the creation of such a registry in the draft Plan of Activities for the Year of Social Development and Quality of Life in the CIS was approved by participants of the working group of the Advisory Council on Labor, Employment, and Social Protection of the Population of the CIS Member States. The working group meeting took place today at the CIS Executive Committee in Minsk, using video conferencing.