2010 Advocate Siarhei Antusevich, the Vice-President of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions, met ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo at the 2025 International Labour Conference in Geneva. Siarhei reported the following: “The 2025 session focused on global challenges such as the just transition, decent work in the platform economy, and the strengthening of international labour standards. A key highlight was the ongoing discussion of Belarus under Article 33 of the ILO Constitution — an exceptional measure invoked due to the government's persistent and serious violations of trade union rights. The Conference reaffirmed the call for Belarus to implement the recommendations of the ILO Commission of Inquiry, including the release of imprisoned trade unionists, reinstatement of dissolved unions, and cessation of repression against independent labour activists. This remains a rare and powerful application of Article 33, demonstrating the international community’s concern over the suppression of freedom of association in Belarus.” In 2022 Siarhei was sentenced to two years in prison for his work as a trade union activist in Belarus. He was released in October 2023.
