Without taking into account the position of trade unions, the new Labor Code will not be of high quality - MP Hryshyna

Social dialogue and active consideration of trade union positions are key to the successful renewal of labor legislation. This was stated in a comment to UNN by People's Deputy Yulia Hryshyna, head of the subcommittee on higher education of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Education, Science, and Innovation. She emphasized the need for a balanced approach to adopting a new Labor Code within the current discussion.

The need to update labor legislation is objectively overdue – the labor market has long changed, and current legislation no longer corresponds to modern economic and social realities. The Code, adopted back in Soviet times, cannot be endlessly amended – a new basic document must be adopted. And this is not about political expediency or preferences, but about state necessity. But the new code must truly, not formally, take into account realities, protect rights, comply with the Constitution, and European integration obligations. It must take into account the position of hired workers, for whom trade unions speak today. Therefore, my position is that it is important to continue and expand social dialogue and discussion.

According to the MP, she supports the position on further refinement of the draft Labor Code, which was submitted to parliament by the Cabinet of Ministers, in cooperation with the FPU.

The Federation represents millions of hired workers. As a member of the Verkhovna Rada's education committee, I work closely with the Federation on issues of wages and protection of educators' rights. And I know the trade unions' position on updating labor legislation. This is a constructive position. And the Federation's participation in the process of refining the draft is logical and necessary.

She recalled the main points that are fundamental for the FPU: these include, in particular, preserving the role of trade unions, preventing the legalization of lockouts, and guaranteeing the right to strike.

These issues remain at the center of constructive discussion, not unilateral decisions.

She added that a balanced Labor Code should take into account the interests of both employees and employers, but social justice should remain key.

Hryshyna added that she expects a quality continuation of the discussion in parliament, which is impossible without the involvement of specialists.

It is obvious that people's deputies will submit amendments to the draft. But such a sensitive topic requires thorough work, the involvement of experts, and an understanding of the processes, which is precisely what trade unions provide. Only in this way will we be able to bring the document to a truly high-quality level.

According to the MP, the new Labor Code should continue to be the subject of constructive dialogue.

Recall

Serhiy Byzov, head of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine, previously stated that trade unions are actively participating in the dialogue on the new version of the Labor Code of Ukraine and insist on full consideration of the position of hired workers during its refinement.

He noted that it is fundamental, 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 not lower than 50% of the average wage 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.