Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today our country celebrates Labor Day, which originally symbolized the struggle for workers’ rights and the defense of social justice. However, in Belarus, we are faced with a tragic irony. While proclaiming May 1 a holiday, the government militantly suppresses independent trade unions and limits workers’ rights. Two years ago, the authorities liquidated the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP) and its affiliated organizations: the Belarusian Independent Trade Union (BNP), the Radio and Electronic Workers’ Trade Union (REP), the Belarus Free Trade Union (SPB), and the Free Trade Union of Metal Workers (SPM). The President of the BKDP, Aliaksandr Yarashuk, and the Vice Chairman of the REP, Henadz Fiadynich, were imprisoned solely for defending the interests of Belarusian workers.
The best way to celebrate May 1 today is to continue their tradition of fighting for workers’ rights. Never allow even minor violations of your rights. Workers have already paid a high price to receive them”.
