“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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Belarusian Trade, Consumer Cooperation and Entrepreneurship Workers' Union Turns 95
The Trade, Consumer Cooperation and Entrepreneurship Workers' Union of the Republic of Belarus celebrated its 95th anniversary on July 31. Today, the union unites over 143,000 industry workers across the country, with 1,681 primary trade union organizations. The union reliably protects the rights of industry workers in the Republic and actively operates on the international stage as part of the International Confederation of Trade Unions of Workers in Trade, Catering, Consumer Cooperation, and Various Forms of Entrepreneurship.
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GCTU Proposes Discussing Harmonization of National Social Partnership Systems at a Special Meeting of the Advisory Labour Council
The General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU) proposed adding a special section to the 2028 CIS Year of Social Development and Quality of Life preparation plan, dedicated to events aimed at improving social partnership.
The proposals for the draft plan of the Year of Social Development and Quality of Life were discussed during the first meeting of the Working Group of the Advisory Council on Labour, Employment, and Social Protection of the Population of the CIS Member States. The meeting took place today at the CIS Executive Committee in Minsk via video conference.
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Viktor Pinsky: "The meeting of the General Confederation of Trade Unions Council in Dushanbe is a landmark event for the entire trade union movement of the Commonwealth of Independent States"
Dushanbe, Tajikistan, July 1, 2026 – Viktor Pinsky, Chairman of the Commission of the Russian State Duma on Regulations and Organisation of State Duma Activities and General Secretary of the General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU), called the meeting of the GCTU Council, held on July 1 in Dushanbe, a landmark event for the trade unions of the Commonwealth of Independent States.