Belarus: 25 freed, hundreds remain in chains

23 September, 2026On 16 September, Belarus released 25 political prisoners. While their release is welcome, hundreds of others remain imprisoned, including trade union activist Vatslau Areshka.

Fight for jailed Belarusian unionists continues

5 June, 2026On 4 June 2026, trade union activists and delegates at the 114th ILC gathered in front of UN Palace of Nations near the Broken Chair monument in Geneva, demanding the immediate release of imprisoned Belarusian trade unionists. Among them was Aliaksandr Yarashuk, BKDP president, free after three and a half years in prison.

“I was not a prisoner, I was hostage of the system”: Gennady Fedynich after his release from Belarusian jail

18 February, 2026Gennady Fedynich is the long-time leader of the independent Radio and Electronics Industry Workers’ Union (REP) in Belarus. One of many Belarusian trade unionists imprisoned in the crackdown on free unions, Gennady was released from prison in September and immediately deported to Lithuania without any documents or access to his pension.

Unions unite to defend rights across Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus

17 December, 2025For two days, trade unions from Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus met at an IndustriALL sub-regional meeting to share experiences, assess the challenges facing workers and unions, and discuss joint actions to increase unity. Although many of the countries have formal rights to organize, bargain collectively and strike, in practice, unions often face procedural hurdles that make action hard. There are high thresholds for strike ballots, broad definitions of essential services, long mediation steps, or strict notice periods.

“They called It release, but it was forced deportation”

18 September, 2025Gennady Fedynich (Hennadz Fiadynich in Belarusian transliteration), long-time leader of the independent Radio and Electronics Industry Workers’ Union (REP), was one of many Belarusian trade unionists imprisoned in the crackdown on free unions. Last week, he was unexpectedly taken from prison in Bobruisk, transported under guard to Minsk, and then deported to Lithuania along with other 52 political prisoners. Another prominent trade union leader, Alexander Yaroshuk, chair of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP), was also among those released. Both the REP and the BKDP, like other democratic trade unions, were disbanded by the Belarusian authorities in July 2022.Gennady spoke to IndustriALL about how it happened, conditions inside prison and what lies ahead for the trade union movement in Belarus, and stressed his gratutude for the support from IndustriALL and affiliates during the long struggle for workers’ rights.

From Belarus to biohazards: unions demand action at ILC

27 May, 2025The 187 member states of the International Labour Organization meet every year in June at the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland. This year’s ILC starts on 2 June and will address possible new international standards on the protection of workers against biological hazards in the working environment and decent work in the platform economy.

Global unions demand justice amid Belarus crackdown on workers’ rights

24 April, 2025As Belarus prepares for its UN universal periodic review (UPR) in November, global unions are raising urgent concerns. A joint submission by IndustriALL Global Union, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the exiled Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP) exposes a brutal government campaign to eradicate independent trade unionism.

16 April – day of action for trade union rights and democracy in Belarus

31 March, 2025Since 2022, the independent trade union movement in Belarus has faced relentless dismantling. In the wake of the peaceful protests of 2020, the government escalated its crackdown on civil society, singling out independent trade unions with particular ferocity. Over the course of numerous arrests and trials, more than 40 trade union leaders and activists have been imprisoned, and all independent trade unions have been forcibly dissolved by court order.

Belarusian unionist released from jail

22 August, 2024Vasil Beresnev, the 74-year-old acting chairman of Belarusian Radio and Electronics Workers’ Union (REP) sentenced to nine years in 2023, has been released.

Delayed justice for Belarusian unionists

21 August, 2024The UN Human Rights Committee has recognized that the rights of three union activists in Belarus were violated during a protest in 2018, and is ordering the government to provide compensation and amend national legislation.