In the context of war and economic transformation, the issue of protecting employees requires systemic solutions rather than declarations. Key challenges include employment instability, pressure on labor rights, low levels of social guarantees, and the further restoration of social dialogue between the state, business, and employees. Serhiy Byzov, Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine, stated this in an exclusive comment to UNN on Labor Day.
May 1st is not only a symbol of solidarity but also a reminder of the responsibility of the state and employers to the millions of Ukrainians who ensure the country's resilience through their daily work. Today, the Ukrainian worker finds themselves under double pressure: war on one side and economic instability on the other. This leads to job cuts, lower wages, and increased social vulnerability. We are working to ensure that the state maintains a proper balance between the interests of business and employees so that Ukraine does not lose its human potential,
According to the head of the FTUU, one of the most acute problems remains the erosion of labor guarantees in the new Labor Code. This specifically concerns attempts to simplify dismissal procedures, expand the practice of fixed-term contracts, and limit the ability of employees to defend their rights in court.
We see a trend toward narrowing workers' rights under the guise of reforms. But reform cannot take place at the expense of the individual. We insist that the new labor legislation must not only meet modern conditions but also guarantee basic social standards, including decent wages, protection against illegal dismissal, and the right to collective protection,
He added that there is currently an active dialogue between the trade union movement, the Government, and the Parliament regarding the development of high-quality labor legislation.
The FTUU pays special attention to the problem of remuneration. Despite some positive developments, wage levels in many sectors remain critically low, especially in education, medicine, and critical infrastructure.
The people who are effectively holding the country together during the war—teachers, doctors, energy workers—cannot remain on the brink of survival. We advocate for a systemic increase in salaries and for linking the minimum wage to the actual subsistence level,
Other challenges include the shadow economy in employment and the lack of effective control over compliance with labor legislation. The head of the FTUU emphasizes that without the legalization of the labor market and increased employer responsibility for violating workers' rights, it is impossible to ensure stable economic development.
As the head of the Federation emphasized, solving these problems is possible only through a comprehensive approach and continued dialogue with the state. "Our task is not just to react to challenges, but to form a new model of labor relations in which the employee is a partner, not a resource. We are open to cooperation with the state and business, but this cooperation must be built on respect for workers' rights,"