Trade Unions Remain a Key Pillar of Civil Society in CIS Countries – Viktor Pinsky
Viktor Pinsky, Secretary General of the General Confederation of Trade Unions and Deputy of the Russian State Duma, spoke at a May Day demonstration in the Republic of Belarus.
The demands of trade unions are simple and clear: jobs, labor protection, decent wages, and guarantees in case of disability, Viktor Pinsky believes.
"On May 1, trade unions around the world bring workers to the streets to show their strength and unity in defending workers' rights. Our demands are simple and clear: we need jobs, labor protection, decent wages, and guarantees in case of disability. The Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus stands guard over the interests of the republic's workers. It reliably protects labor, cares about improving workers' welfare, and raises issues of labor protection and the rights of older workers and working women. Trade unions have been and remain one of the main pillars of civil society throughout the CIS, and a special focus on the working person is what unites our countries," Viktor Pinsky said today at the Labor Day celebration in Minsk, Republic of Belarus.
The festive events in Minsk began with the laying of flowers at the "Minsk – Hero City" stele. Representatives of labor collectives, the Administration of the President of the Republic of Belarus, the Government, ministries, and departments, as well as the leadership of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus, took part in the ceremony. Over 20,000 people participated in the celebrations in Minsk.
Events dedicated to May 1 have been taking place for a week in the CIS countries. In Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan, trade unions have organized marathons, community clean-up days, collective meetings, and demonstrations.
GCTU News
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President of Russia Vladimir Putin Presents the Order of Honour to Viktor Pinsky
Viktor Pinsky, a member of the Russian State Duma and General Secretary of the General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU), has been awarded the Order of Honour. The award was presented by Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation.
"My sincere congratulations! I am glad that your work has been duly recognised by the country's leadership," Vladimir Putin said as he presented the award to Viktor Pinsky.
The ceremony took place today in the St George's Hall of the Kremlin in Moscow.
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Viktor Pinsky addresses CIS trade unions
To mark World Day for Decent Work, observed on October 7, GCTU General Secretary Viktor Pinsky has addressed the Confederation's member organisations.
The GCTU is proposing a new benchmark for the minimum wage: the minimum consumer budget.
Viktor Pinsky called on CIS trade unions to support a new solidarity campaign: “Set the minimum wage at the level of the minimum consumer budget.”
The full text of the address can be found in the “Analytical Materials” section.
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Margarita Usova: Migrant workers' interests must be taken into account in developing a common CIS migration space
On September 24, St. Petersburg hosted the 30th meeting of the Council of Heads of Migration Authorities of the CIS member states. The General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU) was represented at the meeting by Deputy General Secretary Margarita Usova, who delivered a report outlining the trade union position on labour migration and the development of a common CIS migration space.