The draft Labor Code needs significant revision, and social dialogue needs to be strengthened - MP
Kyiv • UNN
MP Mykhailo Tsymbaliuk stated the need to revise the Labor Code and take into account the demands of trade unions. The document must guarantee the right to strike and wages.
The draft of the new Labor Code of Ukraine, submitted by the Government for consideration by the Verkhovna Rada, requires thorough revision and cannot be adopted without a full and substantive dialogue between all participants in the process. The principled position of trade unions must be taken into account in the document. Mykhailo Tsymbaliuk, First Deputy Head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Social Policy and Protection of Veterans' Rights, expressed this opinion in an exclusive comment to UNN.
Context
Serhiy Byzov, Head of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine, previously stated that trade unions are actively participating in the dialogue regarding the new version of the Labor Code of Ukraine and insist on full consideration of the position of hired employees during its revision.
He noted that it is crucial, in particular, to prevent the weakening of the right to strike or the creation of mechanisms of pressure from employers. According to the head of the FPU, special attention should be paid to a clear definition of the grounds for fixed-term employment contracts without the possibility of their arbitrary expansion.
The Federation of Trade Unions also advocates for the abolition of the three-month limitation for appealing to court in disputes regarding wages, as it narrows the possibilities for employees to protect their rights.
According to Byzov, the FPU also demands a fair approach to wages – with the minimum wage tied to the living wage and at a level no lower than 50% of the average salary in the economy.
In addition, it is about the need to preserve social guarantees for vulnerable categories of workers, including leave for harmful working conditions and other existing benefits, as well as establishing adequate notice periods for changes in essential working conditions.
In fact, I am impressed by the position of trade unions, which have finally begun to fundamentally advocate for preventing the reduction and deterioration of the rights of working people in the new Labor Code.
At the same time, he expressed doubts that the previous leadership of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine actually participated in the development of the Labor Code.
I have a question for the trade unions, who from them participated in the preparation of this bill at the government level. Because when Marchak, Deputy Minister of Economy, presented this bill, or rather, the draft of the new Labor Code, she said that it was developed in cooperation with trade unions. Is this really true, or is someone misleading someone?
He also emphasized that updating labor legislation is an objective necessity, as the current code was adopted back in the 1980s and does not correspond to modern economic realities. In his opinion, the Labor Code should, in particular, approve the principle of determining the living wage, and it should be tied to the average salary in the country. In addition, there should be norms concerning servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
That is, the code requires thorough revision. The draft submitted by the Cabinet of Ministers does not stand up to any criticism. And the principled position of trade unions is important. Undoubtedly, they cooperate with the committee, but in fact, such cooperation should be strengthened and be more substantive, not general.
The MP is convinced that trade unions should continue to clearly state and defend their position, initiate meetings not only with the leadership, but with the entire social policy committee and other parliamentary committees, factions, and groups, because the effectiveness of adopting bills depends on the positions of all deputies.