Report to the Special Rapporteur on Belarus on Human Rights Violations in the Sphere of Labour

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In brief: 

  • legalisation of ideological pressure in the workplace,
  • legislative “filters” for the disloyal,
  • use of repressive administrative practices aimed at strengthening control over workers, exerting pressure on them, and “screening out” those perceived as disloyal,
  • a de facto discriminated group of people is emerging, gradually being pushed out of the labour market and public life.

 

The upcoming report of the Special Rapporteur on Belarus, which will be presented at the 80th session of the General Assembly in October 2025, will focus on the human rights situation in the field of labour. The BHC submitted its report on the politicisation of labour regulation, in particular on repressive legislation and administrative practices.

 

We described recent legislative changes aimed at the general legalisation of ideological pressure in the workplace, as well as at restricting access to certain professions on political grounds. Such regulation includes A. Lukashenko’s Directive No. 12, a separate section of which is devoted to improving “ideological work” in labour collectives, and Directive No. 11, which creates the basis for ensuring the “ideological conformity” of civil servants.

 

We also outlined legislative “filters” excluding those perceived by the authorities as disloyal (including individuals previously convicted of “extremist” offences): a ban on working with children, loyalty requirements introduced for guides and translators, astronauts and notaries, and proposed for the self-employed and temporary (anti-crisis) managers; as well as restrictions for civil servants and diplomats related to their possession of foreign documents.

 

In the report, we also highlighted such repressive administrative practices as:

  • dismissals and refusals of employment on political grounds;
  • the system of fixed-term employment contracts as a mechanism of control and pressure on workers;
  • the introduction of the position of “Deputy for Security” in state institutions with broad powers in the field of personnel policy;
  • interference in workers’ private life through checking personal smartphones, monitoring trips to “unfriendly countries”, pressure due to the presence of foreign documents held by workers or their relatives;
  • forcing workers to join pro-government political parties. 

 

In addition, we emphasised that the overall systemic policy of persecution leads to local repressive initiatives, and pointed to the tendency to involve the private sector in violating workers’ rights.

 

The legislation and administrative measures we have described violate such fundamental rights as freedom of expression, association and assembly. Thus, the state continues to punish citizens for the legitimate political choice made five years ago, for active participation in political and public life, including by expressing their opinions in various forms.

 

But this regulation also seriously violates the right to work, including equal access to employment and ensuring fair and favourable working conditions without discrimination. The use of “loyalty” as the main criterion has in effect created a discriminated group of people, who are gradually being pushed out of the labour market and public life.

 

This exclusion deprives them of access to many professions, not only restricting their choice of occupation but also often leaving them with no real opportunities for employment and therefore no means of subsistence, especially in rural areas and small towns. Others are forced to practise self-censorship and neglect the proper performance of their professional duties in order to avoid dismissal or persecution.

 

As a result, the population’s access to qualified specialists and basic services, including quality healthcare, education, legal aid and other areas, is deteriorating.

 

Together with other human rights organisations and the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions, a coalition report was also prepared.

 

The coalition report draws attention to such issues as:

  • the de facto elimination of freedom of association and independent trade unions;
  • persecution of activists and discrimination against workers on political, gender and other grounds;
  • widespread use of forced labour;
  • violation of the rights of women and vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities and former political prisoners;
  • a significant deterioration in the independence of the legal profession, which in turn leads to limited access to legal assistance.

 

The report also raises the issue of Belarus’ systematic evasion of its international obligations in the field of labour rights, including years of ignoring the recommendations of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and withdrawal from a number of international treaties that guaranteed the protection of workers’ rights.

 
#discrimination #right to work #int. mechanisms