Over the past year, the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine (FPU) has made a radical turn toward the effective protection of workers. FPU Chairman Serhiy Byzov has managed to restore social dialogue with ministries and the Cabinet of Ministers, which has already translated into real salary bonuses and the repayment of multi-million dollar debts, reports UNN.
Just a year ago, the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine was effectively isolated from communication with the government and parliament, and the instruments of influence on the country's socio-economic policy were blocked. As FPU Chairman Serhiy Byzov explained in an interview, the situation began to change after the leadership was updated and a clear strategy was defined, aimed at returning a voice and real influence to the trade unions regarding decisions that directly affect workers and their working conditions.
"The last time we met, I was still in the military. On July 1, 2025, I took over the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine, at a time when not a single ministry was communicating with its sectoral trade unions. We had no communication with the Verkhovna Rada; we had no communication with the authorities at all,"
The key tool for restoring influence was the launch of a full-fledged social dialogue in a tripartite format: between the state, business, and workers. As the head of the trade unions stated, it is this mechanism that allows for the discussion of problems and their rapid conversion into solutions.
"If we talk about specific results, as of today, I have been elected chairman of the NTSEC – the National Tripartite Social and Economic Council under the President of Ukraine. This is the highest body of social dialogue, which includes the government side, the business and employers' side, and the trade union side. I have been elected chairman; the documents are currently with the President for signature. The Minister of Economy became the co-chair, and the Minister of Social Policy became her deputy. This platform had not functioned in our country for 9 years. And this is one of the conditions for our accession to the EU. The European Union requires Ukraine to have an effective social dialogue platform operating,"
The results of restoring dialogue with the authorities have already been felt by social sphere workers. After the first meeting in a long time between the trade unions and the Ministry of Social Policy, the parties agreed on a plan to sign a Sectoral Agreement. This specific document defines the mechanisms for the socio-collective protection of workers. According to Serhiy Byzov, as a result, a significant increase in labor remuneration was achieved; the salaries of social sphere workers increased 2.5 times, which is already having a tangible effect on the ground.
Energy Crisis and the Pension Fund
Last winter, the country faced critical challenges – shelling and blackouts paralyzed the work of the Pension Fund. IDPs and pensioners could not receive payments for weeks, and employees were on the verge of resigning due to inhumane schedules and system crashes.
At that time, the FPU acted as a moderator between the staff and the fund's management. As a result, the employees did not quit; instead, they received a 30% salary bonus and double pay for overtime. Currently, according to Byzov, the situation has stabilized, schedules have returned to normal, and the increased salaries have remained.
The Fight Against "Serfdom" and Debts
Serhiy Byzov takes a tough stance on labor remuneration. He believes that managers who turn people into serfs by not paying their salaries have no right to hold leadership positions.
This approach has already been felt by the Odesa Port Plant (OPZ). After the intervention of the FPU chairman and his meeting with the management of the State Property Fund, the first 8 million UAH of wage arrears were paid to OPZ workers within a week. Similarly, with the support of the Ministry of Finance and the FPU, the issue of debt to television and radio broadcasting workers was resolved in just one week.
Thus, in just one year, the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine has managed not only to restore communication with the authorities but also to turn it into a working tool for protecting working people. The results of this dialogue already have a practical dimension and are felt at the level of specific workers – from increased labor remuneration to the repayment of multi-million dollar debts.
Reminder
On May 21, 2026, elections for the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine for the next 5 years will take place. Following the nomination of candidates, the current head of the Federation, Serhiy Byzov, received the greatest support. His candidacy was nominated by 32 sectoral trade unions and 18 territorial trade union associations.