The president of the Republic of Belarus Alaksandar Łukašenka accepted the backbone of the new law of the Republic of Belarus “On Professional Unions” and signed an edict №605 “On some issues of state registration of civic communities and their unions (associations)”. The press service of the head of state reports that the documents were drafted in order to implement measures aimed at developing Belarusian professional union movement, which were laid down in the president’s 2006 address to the people and the National Assembly.

The concept elaborated by the government on regular terms foresees the preparation of a new law “On professional Unions” in order to comprehensively resolve the issues of creation, registration and activity of professional unions in Belarus, their organisation structures and the associations of professional unions.

A new type of professional unions is being introduced – those not exacting the status of a legal body. There will be no need for them to possess a legal address. Such professional unions won’t be liable to state registration but will be kept account of by local executive bodies. Besides, a criterion of professional union representation is introduced in order to cooperate with state institutions on the issues of social-economical development of the country as well as conducting talks and drafting collective agreements.

The edict “On some issues of state registration of civic communities and their unions (associations)” exacts the dismissal of the republican committee on registering public organisations, which is rendered unnecessary. Thus, the function of state registration is fully vested in legal bodies.

As usual, a new project draft rests on international legal norms in the sphere, the obligations adopted by the republic within the framework of International Labour Organisation, the practice of professional union activity in the country.

The press-service of the president underscores the fact that the document largely simplifies and deburocratises the activity of professional unions, which are one of the strongest fundaments of state authorities. Food for thought: whose fundament should the unions be in reality?