Belarus: UN calls to abolish forced labour

The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) reviewed Belarus in November 2013 and published its conclusions, namely urging Belarus to abolish the use of compulsory labour as a punitive measure. Belarus was equally condemned for its widespread violation of workers rights, including their right to join trade-unions freely and without interference.

FIDH and its member league Human Rights Centre “Viasna” welcome the UN’s conclusions that comprehensively reflect their joint recommendations as published in the report “Forced labour and pervasive violations of workers’ rights in Belarus”. Further key issues can be found in the report: namely, subbotniks (a system of organised, unpaid labour on weekends ‘for the good of society’), compulsory labour in the penal system and the army and the compulsory assignment of university graduates.

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Read the report “Forced labour and pervasive violations of workers’ rights in Belarus

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