The Belarusian Trade Union Federation (FPB) which would regularly accuse independent unions of being politicized found itself in the middle of a political process. The largest NGO in the country organizing around 4 million workers yet again actively joined the campaign to collect signatures for nominating Aliaksandr Lukashenka a presidential candidate. The initiative group was headed by the FPB Chairman President Yuri Senko which calls into question the organization’s claim of being apolitical.
The Central Election Commission has registered seven initiative groups of which the largest one supports Lukashenka. Moreover, the FPB delegated 252 representatives to work in territorial election commissions, outnumbering all pro-government structures including the “White Rus” party.
At a press conference Yuri Senko, the former Head of Customs Service and the new Head of the FPB Chairman, stated: “Following the registration, the initiative group will commence the collection of signatures. All experts have been prepared; we are convinced that we shall walk this road beautifully” ».
This initiative of the FPB raises questions, particularly in the light of human right defendants’ statements of instances of pressure put on workers before the elections.
You will remembers that FPB officials repeatedly used international for a to accuse the alternative trade union center – the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP) – of politicization. Currently, the FPB remains the only legal TU center in Belarus. Following the 2020 pretest actions, the BRDP and all its affiliates were disbanded and dozens of their leaders ended up in prisons. Today, 34 union activists still remain behind bars.
Independent unions in Belarus have faced repressions for decades, including criminal prosecution of their leaders. They were accused of trying to politicize their activities and destabilize the situation in the country. Yet, the FPB involvement in the Lukashenka’s campaign clearly shows that pro-government unions have become a tool of political support for the regime.
Against the backdrop of mass worker dismissals, arrests in the workplace and repressions against all who disagree, the FPB continues to present itself internationally as a defender of workers’ rights.
Lukashenka himself, when commenting on his potential candidacy, said to propaganda officers: “If my supporters say this needs to be done…”.
This phrase was picked up by the FPB as they organized a flashmob involving workers’ collectives, university students, and media personalities. The participants massively posted a video clip with the words “Needs to be done!” and expressed their support to the incumbent dictator holding power in Belarus in his grip for three decades running.
The active involvement of the FPB in a political campaign and the mobilization of its resources speak of a complete merger of the largest national trade union association and the State authorities. Despite Senko’s claims that there is “no agitation”, the FPB actions demonstrate how far a pro-government structure would go servicing the regime’s interests.
According to the Head of the FPB, as of today, in support of nominating Lukashenka a presidential candidate for the elections in January 2025, over 1.5 million signatures have already been collected which is 15 times more than the required number. Here it should be noted that the elections in the country will run as a de facto Hobson’s choice, if one disregards the sparring-candidates.
The FPB increasingly resembles an organization akin to the German Labour Front of the Nazi era. Then, workers and employers would organize around the figure of the Fuhrer with the notorious Robert Ley as the organization’s leader. You will remember that the Labour Front was disbanded and its leader committed suicide ahead of his trial. This comparison makes one think of potential consequences for the FPB that has completely surrendered itself to the political interests of the regime.
Comentarios