The Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine, Serhiy Byzov, during his speech at the 114th International Labour Conference, called for a review of the feasibility of the continued operation of the International Labour Organization (ILO) regional office in Moscow and its relocation to Uzbekistan or Kazakhstan, UNN reports.
"In the context of ILO reform, we reiterate: the feasibility of the regional office in Moscow is in question. We propose moving these functions to Uzbekistan or Kazakhstan,"
According to him, the full-scale war that Russia is waging against Ukraine, as well as systemic violations of international law, cast doubt on the possibility of maintaining the regional office of the international organization in the aggressor state.
"We continue to protect the rights of workers in the territories occupied by Russia and oppose the militarized indoctrination of youth. The involvement of children in the production of strike drones at Alabuga enterprises is a gross violation of international law, and the ILO must react," the FPU head emphasized.
During his speech, Serhiy Byzov also raised the issue of protecting the labor rights of Ukrainians under war conditions. He noted that more than 560,000 workers are currently defending Ukraine with weapons in their hands, while millions more continue to work, supporting the economy and ensuring the functioning of the state.
"Working people are performing a true labor feat, and this feat is still undervalued. The International Labour Organization and the global community must recognize this," believes the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine.
Separately, he drew attention to the role of women in supporting the Ukrainian economy during the war.
"Gender equality in labor is not only a matter of justice but a matter of economic survival. In Ukraine, while most men are at the front, it is women who have kept the labor market from collapsing. This is a fact that should become a lesson for global labor policy," emphasized Serhiy Byzov.
He also spoke about the support of Ukrainian trade unions for the rights of platform economy workers and called for equal labor guarantees in the face of rapid technological development and artificial intelligence.
Separately, Serhiy Byzov highlighted the problems of Ukrainian industry. According to him, the metallurgical industry is currently under double pressure due to high electricity prices and the introduction of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
"Ukrainian metallurgy—one of the country's key employers—has found itself under double pressure: rising electricity tariffs and the introduction of CBAM, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism at the European Union border. These factors combined could become critical for an industry that is already operating under war conditions. We call on the ILO and international partners to take this dimension into account in discussions on a just transition," the FPU chairman noted.
Furthermore, he emphasized the inadmissibility of narrowing the rights of workers and trade union organizations in the new Labor Code of Ukraine.
"Decent work cannot be a victim of reforms. The new Labor Code must become the foundation for post-war reconstruction, not a tool for deregulation at the expense of working people. The return of 6 million Ukrainians from abroad depends precisely on what guarantees workers receive," Serhiy Byzov explained.
He also noted that over the past year, Ukraine has managed to restore social dialogue between the state, employers, and trade unions. In particular, the work of the National Tripartite Social and Economic Council (NTSEC) has been resumed, the Trade Union House in the center of Kyiv has been returned to the use of the Federation of Trade Unions, and wage increases in the social sector have been achieved.
As a reminder
The 114th annual International Labour Conference has begun its work in Geneva and will continue until June 12. It has brought together representatives from 187 member states of the International Labour Organization. Representatives from Ukraine are also participating in the conference.
On the eve of the opening of the International Conference, a meeting of the International Trade Union Confederation was held, dedicated to the publication of the annual Global Rights Index - 2026.
"The figures are discouraging. Violations of labor rights in the world are growing in parallel with the increase in the number of armed conflicts and the spread of authoritarian regimes. This is not a coincidence—it is a pattern," reported Serhiy Byzov.
The "Global Rights Index - 2026" report itself indicates that in many countries, cases of violence against workers, arrests or detentions of trade union members, restrictions on the right to assembly, and limitations on judicial protection of workers' rights have become more frequent. Cases of denying workers the right to collective bargaining to improve working conditions have also increased. The situation is further aggravated by military conflicts arising in various regions of the world.
Within the framework of the 114th International Labour Conference ongoing in Geneva, the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine Serhiy Byzov also held a meeting with the Director of the ILO Bureau for Workers' Activities (ACTRAV) Oliver Röpke.