The Belarusian Helsinki Committee has submitted information to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus regarding systematic violations of labour rights. The document highlights the worsening situation regarding the right to work since 2020, as the state's repressive policies increasingly affect the enjoyment of socio-economic rights as well.
We draw attention to the systemic abuse of mechanisms of pressure on workers — many of which predate 2020 — including the widespread use of fixed-term employment contracts, administrative interference in the personnel policies of enterprises, and the introduction of “Deputy for Security” positions in state institutions. These and other mechanisms enable the authorities to arbitrarily interfere in recruitment and dismissal processes.
Since 2020, politically motivated dismissals have become widespread, triggered by participation in protests, signing petitions in support of alternative election candidates, engagement with materials arbitrarily designated as “extremist,” and other perceived signs of "disloyalty".
In addition, the use of informal "blacklists" — which prevent individuals deemed “unreliable” from finding new employment — persists across many sectors. We also note the gradual introduction of new politically motivated employment filters for a growing number of professions, including recent loyalty requirements imposed on educators, tour guides, interpreters, and even astronauts. Employment opportunities are increasingly restricted for individuals previously convicted of so-called “extremist” offences.
These practices violate, among other rights, the right to work, including the right to equal access to employment and to just and favourable conditions of work without discrimination. They not only deprive entire groups of citizens of the opportunity to pursue the profession of their choice and exclude them from the public sphere but also harm the broader population by reducing access to qualified specialists and essential services — including healthcare, education, legal assistance, and more.
For a more detailed analysis of the situation regarding the right to work in Belarus, please refer to the expert commentaries for the Belarus Human Rights Index.
