The trade union movement in Ukraine is going through difficult times; young workers often perceive trade unions as something outdated, bureaucratic, or associated exclusively with the Soviet legacy. As a result, organizations that have historically been a tool for protecting labor rights are gradually losing young members. The Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine (FPU) acknowledges the problem and is already preparing changes intended to regain the trust of the younger generation, FPU Chairman Serhiy Byzov said in a comment to UNN.
In the conditions of war, the issue of labor rights for young workers takes on special significance. Unstable employment, living under constant stress, labor market mobility, and the spread of informal employment create new challenges to which the trade union movement must also adapt.
The head of the trade union movement cites the lack of quality communication and a modern approach as one of the key reasons for the outflow of youth. Young workers often do not even know they are union members or do not understand what benefits potential membership can provide. In many labor collectives, trade union activity has been reduced to formalities for years, while the actual protection of workers' rights took a back seat.
"We have lost leadership. People leave trade unions not because they didn't get a travel voucher or a gift. People leave when they don't feel protection and support," explains Serhiy Byzov.
According to him, young people often view the trade union movement through the prism of past stereotypes. At the same time, in most developed countries, trade unions remain an important component of the economy and one of the key elements of the system of social dialogue between the state, employers, and employees.
"This is how the whole world works. There is the state, employers, and trade unions. This is how Europe, the USA, and other countries operate," notes Serhiy Byzov.
The FPU Chairman is convinced that a modern trade union should be not only about social guarantees but also about human development. This includes professional development, training, career growth, legal support, and assistance in cases of labor conflicts or bullying at work (mobbing). Byzov is convinced that an employee must clearly understand: a trade union is not a formality, but a mechanism for protecting their rights and interests.
At the same time, the Development Strategy of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine for 2026-2031 already includes specific tools for rejuvenating the trade union movement. One of the priorities will be involving young workers in decision-making. This refers to youth participation in forming trade union policy, the work of social dialogue bodies at all levels, and international trade union networks.
A special emphasis will be placed on the representation of the younger generation in elected trade union bodies. The strategy provides for the development of youth cells, systematic involvement of youth in leadership structures, and the formation of a personnel reserve of future trade union leaders.
Another priority identified is the protection of the labor rights of young workers. The Federation plans to strengthen advocacy for the right to decent wages, safe working conditions, and opposition to unstable employment without proper social guarantees.
To rejuvenate the trade union movement, cooperation with educational institutions and employers is also planned. The FPU is convinced that trade unions should accompany a young person as early as the transition from studies to their first workplace, helping them adapt to the labor market and protect their labor rights.
The Federation is also placing a significant bet on digitalization. This involves more active use of modern organizing tools, information campaigns, and digital communication channels to attract young workers and students. There are also plans to create a system of educational programs, trainings, mentoring programs, and competency development in the field of labor law and social dialogue.
The FPU acknowledges the need to change the image of the trade union movement among the youth – which is why they are ready to more actively use digital tools and modern communication formats.
A separate focus, according to FPU Chairman Serhiy Byzov, will be on the private sector. While trade unions have historically been more common in state-owned enterprises, the situation is completely different in small and medium-sized businesses. Employees of cafes, barbershops, service stations, small retail outlets, or the service sector often do not know at all that they can create a trade union organization and receive support.
"We are ready to help such collectives even at the stage of creating a primary trade union. We are ready to provide them with assistance ranging from legal consultations to the preparation of documents for registration," said Serhiy Byzov.
According to him, attracting workers from these sectors, as well as implementing the new strategy for the development of the trade union movement, should become one of the key factors for its rejuvenation and strengthening in the coming years.
Recall
Serhiy Byzov won the election for the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine. The newly elected head of the FPU announced the strengthening of the trade union movement. According to him, an audit of all trade union property will be conducted, as well as a personnel review and the formation of a strong management team.
In addition, earlier the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Serhiy Byzov as the Chairman of the National Tripartite Social and Economic Council.
The co-chair of the NTSEC became the Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine Oleksiy Sobolev, and his deputy is the Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine Denys Ulyutin. Another co-chair of the NTSEC from the employers' side became the Chairman of the Federation of Employers of Ukraine Anatoliy Kinakh.