“Peace is impossible where workers are deprived of a voice”

At the 54th Congress of the CGT, taking place in Tours from 1 to 5 June, the Belarusian independent trade union movement is represented by BKDP Deputy Chair Siarhei Antusevich.

As the CGT itself stresses, the congress is being held in the context of the rise of the far right, the accelerating erosion of workers’ rights, and the growing power of multinational corporations. The international programme of the forum is devoted to three main themes: organising resistance to the far right, developing trade union strategies in the face of growing corporate power, and renewing trade union practice in the conditions of globalised capitalism.

As part of the international section of the congress, Siarhei Antusevich addressed the event on behalf of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions. In his speech, he recalled that after the mass protests of 2020, the Belarusian authorities destroyed independent trade unions, dozens of trade union leaders and activists were imprisoned, and thousands of workers faced repression, dismissal and persecution. He also stressed that one of the reasons for the arrest of trade union leaders in April 2022 was their clear anti-war position and their demand to stop the war.

The defining phrase of his speech was: “Peace is impossible where workers are deprived of a voice.” Antusevich stressed that peace is also impossible where people are imprisoned for trade union activity and where human rights are systematically destroyed. According to him, even under such conditions, Belarusian independent trade unions continue their work, because “solidarity cannot be banned” and “workers’ dignity is stronger than fear”.

In conclusion, Siarhei Antusevich reminded the audience that it is workers who pay for wars with their lives, broken families, poverty and forced exile, while others profit from weapons and conflict. He thanked the International Trade Union Confederation, European trade unions, the CGT, and all organisations that have not forgotten Belarus, and called for the further strengthening of international solidarity.

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