Statement by India in the ILO Committee on the Application of Standards on the case of Belarus [Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29)] – Delivered by Dr. Sadre Alam, First Secretary during the 107^th International Labour Conference 2018

Mr. Chairperson,

The delegation of India has taken note of the background document provided by the Office on this case.

2. We thank the Government of Belarus for providing a comprehensive update on this issue.

3. India welcomes the willingness and commitment of the Government of Belarus to constructively engage and cooperate with the ILO and to fulfil its labour obligations.

4. We appreciate the positive and significant steps taken by the Government of Belarus and request it to continue pursuing its efforts to amend its internal laws related to Convention 29 in consultation with relevant Stakeholders, especially the social partners, to realize the goals enshrined in its constitution.

5. We request the Government to continue providing information on any progress made in this regard.

6. In fulfilling its labour related obligations, we request ILO and its Member States to fully support the Government of Belarus and provide any technical assistance that it may seek in this regard.

7. The Committee on the Application of Standards must be a forum for constructive discussion aimed at improving compliance with international labour standards.

8. We wish the Government of Belarus all success in its endeavors.

9. Finally, we wish to reiterate the need for ensuring greater transparency, inclusiveness, objectivity, fairness and credibility in the ILO supervisory mechanism as part of the ILO centenary standards initiative.

Thank you.

01 June 2018