The international conference “Modern Economic Challenges and Their Impact on Labor Relations, Socio-Economic Status of Workers” was held in Minsk on December 11, 2025.
The initiator of the event was the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus. Representatives of national trade union centers from various countries, diplomatic corps, scientific community and experts were invited to participate.
CIS First Deputy Secretary-General Igor Petrishenko addressed the conference.
He noted that this year, events dedicated to the Commonwealth-declared Year of the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War – the Year of Peace and Unity in the Fight Against Nazism, were held at a worthy level.
Igor Petrishenko recalled that among the first documents concluded after the CIS’s establishment were precisely international treaties guaranteeing civil, political, social and economic rights and freedoms. Issues of improving citizens’ quality of life were and remain a priority for all Commonwealth participants.
According to Igor Petrishenko, a stimulus for expanding trade and economic regional cooperation is the free trade zone, the Agreement on which was signed in 2011. The Free Trade in Services Agreement of 2023 also became significant. Thus, a comfortable environment for developing export potential and supporting business was formed.
Igor Petrishenko stated that the foundational CIS document in the socio-economic sphere is the Economic Development Strategy until 2030. This year, the implementation of the Plan for its first stage is concluding. A similar Plan for implementing the second stage of the Strategy for 2026–2030 has been approved.
According to the CIS First Deputy Secretary-General, the existing experience of Commonwealth countries in the field of labor migration indicates the need to bring labor markets closer together to meet the needs of the developing economies of the member states and increase the employment level of their citizens.
He also noted that other key directions for interaction are:
– cooperation in the comprehensive rehabilitation of persons with disabilities;
– issues concerning the lives of older citizens;
– sustainable improvement of life expectancy, level and quality of life, active and healthy longevity;
– strengthening intergenerational ties.
Speaking about the prospects for developing cooperation in the social and labor sphere, Igor Petrishenko informed about the preparation of a draft document to declare 2028 the Year of Social Development and Quality of Life in the Commonwealth.