Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1991, published 78th ILC session (1991)

The Committee notes with satisfaction that section 6 of the Constitution of the Byelorussian Republic, which had set out the leading role of the Communist Party in economic and social life, has been amended and that, as amended, it lays down the principle of pluralism for political parties and public organisations.

The Committee also notes, from the Government's report, that in October 1990 the Congress of Trade Unions of the Byelorussian Republic was held, during which, among other instruments, the Charter of the new Federation of Byelorussian Trade Unions and a Bill on the rights and guarantees of trade unions were adopted.

The Committee requests the Government to supply copies of the above texts.

Finally, with reference to section 5 of the Order of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the coming into force of the USSR Act concerning trade unions of 10 December 1990 - which, as the Committee of Experts has indicated in its comments to the Government of the USSR, opens the way to trade union pluralism - the Committee notes that the supreme bodies of the Republics of the Union are recommended to align the legislation of their Republic with the provisions of the Act.

The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the measures that have been taken under this provision in order to eliminate any ambiguity that may persist in the legislation of the Republic as regards the possibility of a genuine system of trade union pluralism and to supply the relevant texts.

The Committee refers to the direct request it is addressing to the Government of the USSR on the Law of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the settlement of collective labour conflicts, dated 9 October 1989.