Skip to main content
Global union demands end to Belarus attacks on independent unions
TONY BURKE reports on the increasing number of instances of harassment and repression of trade union organisers
IndustriALL pckets outside Belarus mission in Geneva

THE giant global trade union IndustriALL — representing manufacturing and energy workers — has reported increased repression against the Belarus independent trade union the Free Metal Workers (SPM, which is affiliated to IndustriALL) and its members who have faced dismissals and detention, with some forced to flee Belarus to avoid prosecution.

IndustriALL reports that almost all SPM local union chairs were fired from their companies, including Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ), BELAZ, Minsk Tractor Works (MTW), BKM Holding: Minsk Motor Plant (MMP: Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant and Minsk Electrotechnical Plant).

On November 17 last year, the local SPM chair at MAZ, Artyom Zhernak was detained by the state security committee and his apartment was searched twice. Zhernak remains in custody.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Platform working
Features / 5 May 2025
5 May 2025

TONY BURKE says an International Labour Conference next month will try for a new convention to protect often super-exploited workers providing services such as ride-hailing (taxis) such as Uber as well as fast food and package delivery

The Green Arrows, Salisbury 1977 / Pic © Analog Africa
Global Routes / 23 April 2025
23 April 2025

How underground bands formed a vital part of the struggle against white supremacy

Album Reviews / 3 March 2025
3 March 2025
New releases by Samba Touré, Santrofi, and Piers Faccini & Ballake Sissoko 
SCARING TRUMP: (Left to right) Brazil’s President Luiz Ina
Features / 24 February 2025
24 February 2025
The towering figures of the North American right and the South American left are set to clash this summer as Brazil hosts Brics, an alliance Trump is determined to smash, reports TONY BURKE