BKDP leader takes part in the DGB Federal Congress in Berlin

From 10 to 13 May, Berlin is hosting the 23rd Ordinary Federal Congress of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) under the slogan “Together we are stronger: good jobs, a strong economy, social protection.” Among the invited guests are Aliaksandr Yarashuk, Chair of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP), and Lizaveta Merliak, Executive Director of Salidarnast e.V.

Lizaveta Merliak and Aliaksandr Yarashuk

During the opening of the congress, participants welcomed Aliaksandr Yarashuk, a former political prisoner and one of the leaders of Belarus’s independent trade union movement. This gesture was an important sign of solidarity with Belarusian trade unions, liquidated by the Lukashenka regime in 2022, and with the 20 trade union activists who remain in Belarusian prisons to this day because of their position.

The congress programme includes an opening ceremony, an address by DGB Chair Yasmin Fahimi, discussions on the future of the labour market, the economy and social protection, as well as speeches by leading representatives of Germany’s public and civic institutions.

Today, delegates to the trade union congress re-elected Yasmin Fahimi as head of the DGB

In the following days, delegates will discuss the report of the Federal Executive Board, amendments to the constitution, motions and resolutions, and will also elect the new leadership bodies of the DGB. On 12 May, German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz is due to address the congress.

The participation of BKDP and Salidarnast representatives in such a major trade union forum confirms that the issue of repression against workers and independent trade unions in Belarus remains on the international trade union agenda. For Belarusian trade unions, this is another opportunity to remind European colleagues of the need to continue showing solidarity and to demand the release of all trade union political prisoners.

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