PERC conference in Sofia backs campaign for the release of Volha Brytsikava
On 8–9 October, Sofia hosted the PERC Women’s Conference, dedicated to the care economy, decent work and the role of trade unions in protecting care workers. Maryia Taradzetskaya represented Belarusian independent trade unions on behalf of the BKDP.
The conference was held under the theme Care economy – from declarations to actions for decent work. The programme covered International Labour Organization standards and tools, the organisation and representation of care workers, national trade union experience, and the development of priorities and a work plan for the PERC Women’s Committee for 2026–2030. Representatives of the international trade union movement, including the ITUC and EPSU, took part in the discussions.
A separate part of the Belarusian delegation’s participation focused on solidarity with political prisoner and independent trade union activist Volha Brytsikava. Maryia Taradetskaya brought postcards to Sofia calling for her release, and conference participants joined the campaign in support of the Belarusian trade union activist.
The action is particularly significant in light of recent information about Brytsikava’s conditions of detention. According to the Viasna Human Rights Centre, at the end of May she was placed in a punishment cell at Penal Colony No. 4 in Homiel for seven days. The reason for the punishment is unknown. Human rights defenders also reported that she was not examined by a doctor before being placed in the punishment cell.
Volha Brytsikava is a former leader of the Belarusian Independent Trade Union at Naftan. She worked at the enterprise for 16 years, became one of the most prominent voices of the workers’ movement in 2020 and was later dismissed. She is currently serving a six-year prison sentence.
Maryia Taradzetskaya stressed that participation in such international platforms is important for maintaining links between the Belarusian independent trade union movement and its international partners:
“For us, as an institution of Belarusian independent trade unions, participation in such international platforms is an opportunity to strengthen our links with the global trade union movement, exchange experience and integrate current international approaches into our own work.”
According to Taradzetskaya, discussions involving representatives of the ILO, the International Trade Union Confederation and others help provide a better understanding of emerging standards and tools for promoting decent work, gender equality and recognition of the value of care work.
For the BKDP, participation in the conference was also an opportunity to bring the Belarusian trade union agenda into international discussions and to remind participants of those who remain imprisoned today for their civic and trade union activities.
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