MINSK, 29 April (BelTA) - The largest foreign trade unions of the petrochemical industry have passed a statement in support of Belarusian workers, BelTA learned from the press service of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus.

The International Confederation of Oil, Gas, and Construction Trade Unions expressed solidarity with the Belarusian enterprises. This organization represents the interests of more than 1.7 million employees from eight countries: Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Belarus. In mid-April, the United States announced the resumption of sanctions against the largest petrochemical industry enterprises: Naftan, Grodno Azot, Polotsk-Steklovolokno, Belshina.

Representatives of the Russian Oil, Gas and Construction Workers' Union and the trade unions of the petrochemical industry of Kazakhstan flew to Belarus to support the workers of those enterprises that are on the sanctions list. The restrictions may also affect partner companies from the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union and violate the production chains that have developed over the years of interaction. For example, Belshina gets raw materials from 57 countries, including Russia and Kazakhstan and supples its products to Avtovaz, Rostselmash, KamAZ, GAZ and other industrial giants,” the press service said. “Naftan's major suppliers include Russia's Rosneft and Surgutneftegas, Tatneft, Russneft, and Neftisa. The global energy company Gazprom delivers Russian gas to Belarusian Grodno Azot. Despite targeting Belarusian companies, the sanctions might also affect all these enterprises, which will result in higher unemployment and lower salaries of workers of the industry of other countries as well,” the press service explained.

This also jeopardizes the interests of the petrochemical industry of Kazakhstan, as the two countries are set to sign an agreement on trade and economic cooperation in oil supplies.

“At present, the United States refuses to admit that the sanctions harm primarily ordinary employees who did not violate any national and international laws or threaten regional and global stability and security. The largest international associations of trade unions have expressed solidarity with Belarusian workers and suggested devising a retaliation strategy in response to gross interference in affairs of Belarusian enterprises,” the FTUB added.

Earlier, the Belarusian Trade Union of Workers of Chemical Industry, Mining Industry, and Oil Industry, which unites over 140,000 employees, released a statement in connection with the resumption of the economic sanctions by the United States against a number of Belarusian enterprises.

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