Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has signed a controversial decree limiting rights of workers in the lumber sector.
According to the decree, the workers will be unable to quit their jobs without the permission of their employer.
Lukashenka first publicly spoke about his intention to introduce the regulation during his visit to the Barysaudrev lumber mill in the town of Barysau near Minsk last week.
He said then that workers who do try to leave their jobs would be sentenced to compulsory labor and returned to the production line.
The decree signed on December 7 made Lukashenka's proposal a law.
Labor unions in Belarus have said earlier this week that they plan to send a formal complaint to the International Labor Organization.
According to the decree, the workers will be unable to quit their jobs without the permission of their employer.
Lukashenka first publicly spoke about his intention to introduce the regulation during his visit to the Barysaudrev lumber mill in the town of Barysau near Minsk last week.
He said then that workers who do try to leave their jobs would be sentenced to compulsory labor and returned to the production line.
The decree signed on December 7 made Lukashenka's proposal a law.
Labor unions in Belarus have said earlier this week that they plan to send a formal complaint to the International Labor Organization.