A/79/159 international standards. 112 In Ukraine, trade unions have reportedly been banned in all territories occupied by the Russian Federation, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, and workers have faced an increased risk of exploitation, 113 and the Government of Myanmar made a declaration of non-recognition of 16 trade unions and civil society organizations after the coup d’état of 2021. 114 Obstacles with regard to registration have also been reported in countries such as Algeria, Belarus, El Salvador and Pakistan. 115 32. Even when workers’ organizations are able to register, many face various obstacles in practice. In the People’s Republic of China, the Labour Union Act of 2022 grants trade union rights to all workers, including migrants. However, those employed in the distant water fishing industry encounter disproportionate challenges in exercising their freedom of association. In this regard, the Indonesian Seafarers’ Gathering Forum, the main union for migrant fishers in the distant water fishing sector of the People’s Republic of China, reportedly experienced arbitrary interference by a vessel owner of the People’s Republic of China and a lack of timely Government response thereafter. 116 In Bahrain, although the General Domestic Workers Trade Union was established in June 2023, there were long delays in finalizing the registration. 117 Further, in Senegal and Uzbekistan, authorization or approval must be obtained from the Government for workers’ organizations to be formed and conduct their activities, 118 and sanctions are imposed for organizing or joining an organization that is not officially recognized in accordance with the Trade Union Act in Trinidad and Tobago. 119 33. A related issue is that workers in some parts of the world can only join bodies established by the State, which significantly undermines the independence of these organizations. In Central Asia, although Turkmenistan ratified both ILO Conventions Nos. 87 and 98, there is reportedly no right to establish independent organizations in the country, 120 which limits the ability to address State-imposed forced labour. 121 In Yemen, the Law on Trade Unions specifically refers to the General Federation of Trade Unions, making it impossible for others to be established. 122 Similarly, the AllChina Federation of Trade Unions is the only authorized workers’ organization in China, 123 and the Government of Cuba reportedly prohibits the establishment of independent entities, and workers are obliged to join the country’s official union, the Workers’ Central Union of Cuba. 124 __________________ 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 14/21 Submissions by Maat for Peace, Migrant-Rights.org and Coalition on Labor Justice for Migrants in the Gulf; and Country briefs of United Arab Emirates, Oman and Saudi Arabia available from www.ilo.org/publications/country-briefs-regulatory-frameworks-governing-migrant-workersarab-states. Submission by Association of Reintegration of Crimea. CEACR Observation on Myanmar (Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87)) adopted 2023, published 112 th ILC session (2024), available from Normlex Database; and ILO “Towards Freedom and Dignity in Myanmar”(2023), 16. Submission by Confédération Syndicale des Forces Productives, and Hari Welfare Association; CEACR Observations on Algeria and El Salvador (Convention No. 87) adopted 2023, published 112th ILC session (2024), available from Normlex Database; and E/C.12/BLR/CO/7, para. 27. Submission by Global Labour Justice. Submission by Coalition on Labor Justice for Migrants in the Gulf. E/C.12/SEN/CO/3, paras. 22 and 23; and E/C.12/UZB/CO/3, para. 34. Submission by Trinidad and Tobago. Submission by Cotton Campaign; and CEACR Observation on Turkmenistan (Convention No. 87) adopted 2022, published 111th ILC session (2023) available from Normlex Database. CCPR/C/TKM/CO/3, para. 32; CEDAW/C/TKM/CO/6, para. 41; and AL TKM 2/2021. Arts. 2, 20 and 21; and E/C.12/YEM/CO/3, para. 39. E/C.12/CHN/CO/3, para. 55. CEACR Observation on Cuba (Convention No. 87) adopted 2023, published 112 th ILC session (2024), available from Normlex Database. 24-13043