“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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A Unified Registry of Collective Agreements Should Be Established in the CIS
A unified registry of collective agreements in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) will enable the regulation of labor relations at a cross-border level, according to the General Confederation of Trade Unions. The proposal by GCTU to include the creation of such a registry in the draft Plan of Activities for the Year of Social Development and Quality of Life in the CIS was approved by participants of the working group of the Advisory Council on Labor, Employment, and Social Protection of the Population of the CIS Member States. The working group meeting took place today at the CIS Executive Committee in Minsk, using video conferencing.
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Nominal Wages in the CIS Show Steady Growth
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan lead with the highest growth rates
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have recorded the highest growth in nominal average wages in the CIS, with increases of 27.5% and 20.3%, respectively, compared to the first half of last year.
Experts from the GCTU analyzed wage data in the CIS, published in the latest report Socio-Economic Situation of the CIS Countries in the First Half of 2026 by the CIS Statistical Committee.
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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.