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“I considered myself not a convict, but rather a prisoner of war”
Aliaksandr Yarashuk, head of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP), shared his experience of being held in Belarusian prisons.
Oct 207 min read


“If the use of AI goes unchecked, employers will concentrate more and more power in their hands”
Yauheni Dzenisenka, an activist with the Salidarnast Association, spoke to Salidarnast about how new technologies are shaping the labor market—and why workers need trade union support.
Oct 205 min read


«We wanted to draw attention to the issue of political prisoners in Belarus»
There were around 12 thousand people taking part in the Bremen marathon, including two of our fellow-countrymen, Pavel Sakalouski and Yauheni Dzenisenka, in the 10 km leg of the run who used the opportunity to draw attention to the issue of ongoing repressions in our country. That is why they came to the starting line wearing sweatshirt that featured the call for “Freedom to Political Prisoners in Belarus”.
Oct 202 min read


Trade union youth discussed AI impact on world of work
On October 7-8, 2025, the Warsaw office of the Polish Metalworkers’ Union (FZZ) hosted a workshop on digitalization organized by the ITUC PERC Youth Committee. Trade union activists discussed issues related to the rapid development of the AI and its impact on the world of work.
Oct 91 min read


Belarusian authorities refused to recognize mandate of the International Labour Organization’s Special Envoy to Belarus
The Special Envoy of the ILO DG for Belarus Lelio Bentes Corrêa, has embarked on his mission.
Sep 304 min read


Volha Brytsikava: undebding union leader behind bars
The name of Volha Brytsikava, the former union leader of the BNP workplace affiliate at the Naftan oil refinery, has become a symbol of fortitude and human dignity. Convicted on trumped-up charges and listed as a “terrorist”, she remains unbroken even behind the barbed wire.
Sep 301 min read


From dictatorship to negotiations: the hidden role of independent trade unions
Speaking of prerequisites for change, we often focus on individuals and tend to underestimate the role of institutions. Global experience shows that a most relevant role in a peaceful transformation can be played by trade unions – but the real ones, not their simulacra.
Sep 303 min read


BKDP attends FNV Solidarity Festival in Amsterdam
On September 19, 2025, Amsterdam saw the International Solidarity Festival organized by the Netherland’s largest trade union, the FNV. The event brought together union activists from over 15 countries, including Surinam, India, Uganda, the USA, Kenya, Columbia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Belarus.
Sep 252 min read


The political prisoner Vatslau Areshka has gone almost completely blind
The political prisoner Vatslau Areshka has gone almost completely blind yet he is unable to gain disability status in prison
Sep 252 min read


“They called It release, but it was forced deportation”
Gennady Fedynich (Hennadz Fiadynich in Belarusian transliteration), long-time leader of the independent Radio and Electronics Industry Workers’ Union (REP), was one of many Belarusian trade unionists imprisoned in the crackdown on free unions. Last week, he was unexpectedly taken from prison in Babruisk, transported under guard to Minsk, and then deported to Lithuania along with other 52 political prisoners.
Sep 195 min read
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