The summit participants concurred that the Lesotho agreements were a model for Southern Africa. Agreements were signed in 2019 between three global garment brands – Levi Strauss & Co., Kontoor Brands (Lee and Wrangler Jeans), and Children’s Place – and trade unions and women’s organizations to stop gender-based violence and harassment at Nien Hsing textile factory, which employed over 10 000 workers.
These agreements were reached after an investigation, by the Workers’ Rights Consortium (WRC), exposed shocking accounts of gender-based violence and sexual harassment at Nien Hsing’s five factories. The factory managers and supervisors were the perpetrators. To end this, the agreements recommended corrective programmes to stop GBVH that included reporting mechanisms, disciplinary action against harassers including termination of contracts, and GBVH awareness, training, and education programmes. Participants said since the anti-GBVH programme implementation began in 2021, cases at the factory have declined and they wanted the agreement to be extended to other factories.
In his special remarks the Kingdom of Lesotho’s Prime Minister Ntsokoane Samuel Matakane, said:
“Lesotho upholds the workers’ rights that are protected in the constitution and in ILO conventions which include Convention 190. The government promotes a workplace environment free from violence and harassment and is finalizing guidelines to stop sexual exploitation.”
The event was supported by several organizations that included the American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), Federation of Women Lawyers in Lesotho (FIDA), International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF), ITUC, ITUC-Africa, WRC, Women and Law in Southern Africa Research and Education Trust (WLSA), and Workers Rights Watch.
The unions present at the event, which are signatories to the agreements, were the Independent Democratic Union of Lesotho (IDUL) which is affiliated to IndustriALL, United Textile Employees (UNITE), and National Clothing Textile and Allied Workers Union (NACTWU).
Shawna Bader-Blau, executive director, Solidarity Center said:
“After years of struggle by unions and especially women workers around the world to advance workplaces free from gender-based violence and harassment, it is heartening to see pro-labour governments within the M-POWER initiative speaking with one voice that violence and harassment at work is an unacceptable form of abuse that must end if workers are going to be able to realize just and fair workplaces.”
“Unions and women’s rights organizations in Lesotho have shown it’s possible to negotiate binding agreements within the global garment supply chain to protect fundamental workers’ rights.”
The M-POWER programme was also launched in Zambia earlier this year under the theme: “Amplifying the voices of workers to safeguard democracy in Africa.”
Paule France Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary for Sub-Saharan Africa said:
“Developing mechanisms and anti-GBVH programmes are important steps in the implementation of Convention 190 to end violence and harassment in the world of work as well as adopting workplace policies as explained in Recommendation 206. Importantly, these programmes are more effective if all stakeholders including unions are involved as is the case with Lesotho. We hope the M-POWER programme will be extended to other countries in Southern Africa.”
The summit’s co-hosts were the Multilateral Partnership for Organizing, Worker Empowerment and Rights (M-POWER), Lesotho Federation of Trade Unions (LFTU), and Lesotho Labour Council (LLC).
Lesotho is the seventh country in Sub-Saharan Africa to ratify Convention 190 after the Central Africa Republic, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Somalia, and South Africa.
Belarusian trade unions remain liquidated one year later
Throughout the last year IndustriALL has strongly condemned the court’s decision and does not recognize it. IndustriALL considers the decision null and void and continues to support its affiliates. In a letter to the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) director general, IndustriALL stated that it will continue to assist and fully support the independent trade unions in Belarus to guarantee organizational continuity. IndustriALL has also called for the release of imprisoned trade union leaders.
In June this year global unions, trade union activists and delegates who attended the 111th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva gathered at the Broken Chair to call for the immediate release of imprisoned Belarusian trade unionists and an end to the repression of workers’ rights. Delegates at the demonstration demanded that all charges against the imprisoned leaders be dropped and that international organizations are given access to visit the country.
Earlier that week, the ILC adopted a resolution under Article 33 of the ILO constitution, challenging Belarus’ continued disregard for workers’ rights and the arrest of countless trade unionists. Article 33 tackles non-compliance with a report of an ILO commission of inquiry. This commission was established in 2003 regarding violations of ILO Conventions 87 and 98. This adoption means that member states will take all the possible steps to ensure that Belarus implements the recommendations of that enquiry. This could involve sanctions but also support for those persecuted by the regime and their struggle for international workers’ rights.
IndustriALL's assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan says,
“IndustriALL is committed to supporting and assisting independent Belarusian unions in their struggle to operate under any circumstances. We are fighting against a dictator and are united with the workers in Belarus. We will not give up until the political hostages are freed. This is a fight for their democracy and for fundamental workers’ rights. The ILC decision on Article 33 is an important step forward for us. Our struggle continues and we will win.”
IndustriALL and TKE unions collaborate to empower workers
Wolfgang Krause, IG Metall works council representative and spokesperson of the TKE international committee said:
“The national situations in TKE plants demands our immediate attention. We must stand in solidarity with workers worldwide and take collective action to improve their working conditions, protect their rights, and ensure a fair and respectful workplace.”
The meeting also dedicated time to shaping the TKE global union council, a body that would provide a platform for workers and unions to voice their concerns, improve the working conditions, and advocate for workers’ rights on a global scale. Discussions focused on the committee’s structure, functions, and mechanisms for collaboration between unions and with TKE management.
This council holds immense potential to serve as leverage for workers and trade unions, providing them with tools and collective power to address their problems and seek viable solutions. Through meaningful engagement and social dialogue, the committee aims to foster an inclusive and respectful working environment for all TKE employees.
Christine Olivier, IndustriALL’s assistant general secretary, said
“The formation of this council is a significant milestone in our journey towards empowering workers and protecting their rights within TKE. It will serve as a vital platform for worker representation, allowing them to actively participate in a decision-making process which impacts their lives.”
The meeting concluded with a declaration which calls on TKE affiliates to engage a consultation on a TKE global action day to raise awareness about pressing issues and demand change. It also urges management to acknowledge and address the concerns raised by workers and trade unions, promoting a culture of respect and collaboration.
“Today, we stand united in our determination to create a better future for TKE workers. Through the establishment of the global union committee and our collective efforts, we will strive to improve working conditions, protect workers' rights, and ensure their voices are heard. Together, we have the power to bring about positive change,”
said Christine Olivier.
Promoting C190 implementation in Nigeria's Textile Sector
The two- day training in Lagos hosted by IndustriALL affiliate NUTGTWN, aims to strengthen the capacity of women leaders to push against GBVH. The union said the capacity building programme is aimed at providing information, raising awareness, promoting learning, knowledge building, and skills needed to advance gender equality at the workplace. This training focuses on assisting the establishment of a union network of activists who advocate for gender equality at work. The activists will also fight against social, cultural, and traditional norms that continue to oppress working women.
Representatives from FES Nigeria, ILO-ACTRAV, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Solidarity Centre, emphasized the importance of using C190 and Recommendation 206 as tools to address grievances related to GBVH and recognize domestic violence as a workplace issue.
Nigeria ratified the Convention in 2022. Discussion topics included dealing with grievances and disputes on GBVH timely; the recognition of domestic violence as a workplace issue; creating gender-responsive workplace mechanisms to protect whistleblowers and victims; and involving shop stewards and occupational health and safety committees in supporting victims.
The workshop made recommendations towards better representation of women in leadership positions at local and national levels, identifying women’s priorities, supporting mentorship programmes, creating dedicated spaces for women workers and the inclusion of women in negotiating teams. Furthermore, the inclusion of childcare and other support services was highlighted to facilitate increased women's participation in the workplace.
"building unions is about inclusiveness. This is why it is important to address gender equality. GBVH is about the abuse of power which adversely affects women and sometimes this leads to suicides. GBVH should not be condoned as many women suffer in silence."
"Unions can adopt feminist strategies to promote equal rights for women workers. Some of the strategies are diversity, respect, tolerance, understanding, voice and agency,"
said Bashiratu Kamal a gender and labour expert from Ghana.
Medinat Balogun, gender desk officer for NUTGWN and committee member of the IndustriALL Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) regional women’s committee said:
"Women trade unionists have made progress to ensure non-discrimination at work, equal pay for work of equal value, and adherence to ILO conventions ratified by Nigeria. However, women need to be increasingly aware of their rights at work and must fight against GBVH to ensure safe workplaces."
John Adaji, IndustriALL regional co-chair for Sub-Saharan Africa said:
"Over the years and with IndustriALL’s support, unions have carried out programmes to integrate women workers’ issues through the creation of structures, affirmative action, and support given to organizing activities. But we need men to be part of the discussions on ending GBVH as they have been identified by research as the main perpetrators."
Supported by FES Nigeria, the workshop serves as a follow-up to the recommendations made at the Sub-Saharan Africa feminist conference in Cape Town in June, with the FES Trade Union Competence Centre for Sub-Saharan Africa providing valuable support. The strides taken by Nigeria's textile and garment sector towards gender equality through C190 training mark a significant step in creating safer and more inclusive workplaces.
Sri Lanka: unions protest government’s debt restructuring and labour law changes
The government’s decision to introduce the domestic debt restructuring plan, part of the “bailout” package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which involves using the hard-earned provident fund of workers, comes at a time when working people of the country are already living under terrible conditions due to extremely high inflation and currency devaluation, which has led to a significant decline in their real income.
In the debt restructuring process to ensure 'debt sustainability' which is IMF's major concern , the major burden will be borne by working people of Sri Lanka given debt relief from international sovereign bond holders which includes multilateral development banks, is only 35 per cent.
Under the domestic debt optimisation, treasury bills held by the Central Bank and the treasury bonds held by superannuation funds, including the Employee Provident Fund and Employee Trust Fund, will be used to restructure the debt by lowering the interest rates charged on these bonds. However this move only covers a small portion with about 61 per cent of the total domestic debt excluded from the program including borrowings from domestic commercial banks.
Anton Marcus, joint secretary of IndustriALL’s affiliate Free Trade Zone and General Services Employees Union, voiced his concern, stating,
“Through this move, the government is trying to put the entire burden on the working class of this country. This is unacceptable. Trade unions have asked the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in a joint letter to convene a meeting with all of the unions to review the pros and cons of the plan.”
In June, four trade unions including IndustriALL’s affiliates, were removed from the reconstituted National Labour Advisory Council. This happened amidst the government’s attempts to pass anti-worker labour law amendments. The proposed amalgamation of 48 labour laws into a single one has raised concerns among unions, as it could abolish internationally recognised standards regarding working hours, overtime, freedom of association and collective bargaining, potentially leaving workers vulnerable. Employers may also gain the authority to terminate workers for organizing and forming unions.
Swasthika Arulingam, president of IndustriALL’s affiliate, Commercial and Industrial Workers’ Union, stated,
“The changes proposed to labour laws by the Sri Lankan government to labour legislations significantly erode workers' rights and remove any protection they may have had under the previous laws. Moreover, by excluding independent unions from NLAC, it’s clear that the government wants to weaken workers’ representation and disempower them.”
Kemal Özkan, assistant general secretary of IndustriALL Global Union, expressed solidarity with Sri Lankan affiliates, urging the government to withdraw the controversial labour law reforms and protect workers’ savings from being used for debt restructuring.
Young trade union leaders strengthen union action through international exchange
Supported by the FES (Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung), the program focused on studying the German trade union system and IG Metall's structure.
Over the course of a week, the participants delved into the features of the German trade union system, with a specific focus on IG Metall's organizational structure, mirroring previous years' examination of the Argentinean and Brazilian models.
Facilitated by a team of educators and trade union experts from IndustriALL and IG Metall, the program emphasized a comparative approach, allowing young leaders to gain insights into various worker representation models and trade union practices across the three countries.
Particular interest was shown in the German system of co-determination, involving works councils, and the dual training system for apprentices. These achievements were acknowledged as the result of trade union organizations' collective struggles for improved working conditions, rather than mere luck or employer goodwill.
An essential aspect of the exchange program was the development and implementation of trade union action plans aimed at organizing young workers within their respective workplaces. Throughout the three-year program, participants worked on these action plans, and during the final day of the exchange, they shared the outcomes and implementation status of their initiatives.
The action plans displayed a wide array of approaches, tailored to the unique realities, needs, and resources of each participating union. Some unions organized football tournaments accompanied by discussions on the union's mission and purpose, while others focused on empowering women workers through training seminars or improving their daily lives with dedicated women's changing rooms.
Additionally, some unions concentrated on establishing trade union schools and training seminars to equip their members with knowledge about workers' rights and labour laws.
Despite the varying methods, the ultimate objective of all the action plans remained the same – to strengthen the trade union organizations to which the participants belonged.
Participants unanimously agreed that, regardless of the context in which they operate, the core struggle remains the same. They acknowledged that language might separate them, but their shared commitment to advancing workers' rights and advocating for better conditions unites them.
The program not only fostered mutual understanding but also promoted camaraderie among young trade union leaders across borders.
“Over the course of 12 years, this exchange program has been instrumental in fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among young trade union leaders from South America and IG Metall. Many past participants have risen to prominent positions within their respective unions, serving as general secretaries, presidents, and international secretaries.
The program's success has demonstrated the significance of international exchanges in strengthening trade unions and building a global network of young leaders committed to advocating for workers' rights and social justice”
said Sarah Flores IndustriALL´s global youth coordinator.
Korean trade unions protest against escalating repression
During the rallies, KMWU leaders presented several demands, including the reform of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Adjustment Act (TULRAA), starting with articles 2 and 3. They also demanded wage hikes for all workers, starting with an increase in the minimum wage. Additionally, the union called for the rejection of the proposed 69-hour work week, fearing its impact on worker wellbeing. Central demands included putting a stop to trade union repression by the government and the resignation of the Yoon Suk-Yeol regime.
KMWU President Yoon Jang Hyeok stressed the urgency of their demands, stating that the proposed labour law reform will leave workers vulnerable and without adequate protection. He emphasized that the strike was about more than just labour rights; it was a stand for democracy, peace, and the livelihoods of ordinary people. The union pledged to unite with other social forces to address the escalating repression.
The nationwide strike, which took place from 3 to 15 July, was part of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' (KCTU) broader protest against the government's actions towards trade unions. More than 100,000 KMWU members, including workers from Hyundai Motor, Hyundai Mobis, Daewoo Shipbuilding, and Hyundai Heavy Industries participated in the strike.
The situation in the country escalated when the Korean government conducted raids on trade union offices, leading to the arrest and charging of numerous unionists. Tragically, this repression resulted in the self-immolation of unionist Yang Hoe-Dong.
"IndustriALL stands in solidarity with the KMWU and the Korean working class, we firmly urge the Korean government to fully respect workers' rights. The condemnation of labour repression in Korea by the ILO director-general, coupled with the four complaints lodged against the government at the ILO's Committee on Freedom of Association, highlight the urgency of addressing these issues."
Atle Høie, IndustriALL General Secretary.
Three workers killed in explosion at Indian cement factory
The victims were identified as Lakesh Kumar Gayakwad (21), Shatruhan Lal Verma (27), and Umesh Kumar Verma (26), they were subcontractors hired by a private company to carry out pipeline-related repair work at the UltraTech factory.
The incident has drawn attention to the issue of precarious employment in the Indian cement industry. According to the Indian National Cement Workers' Federation (INCWF), approximately 83 per cent of workers in the industry work under precarious conditions. This tragic event underscores the importance of ensuring workplace safety for all workers, especially those engaged in contract work.
Following the accident, INCWF demands fair compensation for the families of the deceased workers as immediate relief.
“We demand that there be a limit to precarious employment in cement industry and an increase of permanent jobs. We urge UltraTech's management to implement stringent measures to improve workplace safety, particularly for contract workers, to prevent similar incidents in the future,”
said Deoraj Singh, general secretary of INCWF.
UltraTech Cement is one of India's leading cement manufacturers and is a part of the Aditya Birla Group (ABG), operating across 26 countries. However, recent incidents have raised concerns about worker safety within the company, prompting calls for enhanced safety protocols and practices.
In 2021, at least seventeen accidents occurred in the cement industry in which around 21 workers lost their lives and 20 workers were seriously injured. In 2022, at least ten accidents occurred in which nine workers were killed and 29 were seriously injured. The Majority of these workers were contract workers.
“One of the dangers of outsourcing operations is that safety procedures get compromised. This is not a standalone incident. It is the responsibility of UltraTech management to ensure that all workers have access to safety mechanisms,”
said Apoorva Kaiwar, IndustriALL’s South Asia regional secretary.
Working in war-torn Ukraine
Why is the issue of protecting workers’ rights in Ukraine important to discuss now, in the middle of the war?
“It is important because workers suffer from the war, occupation, and aggression. Workers lose their jobs and their incomes, workers and their families need to flee, both internally and externally, but workers also have to defend and save their country. We all expect workers’ rights to be respected, that their unions are supported and given opportunity to serve their members. But the reality is very different.
“At a time when the country needs unity it shouldn’t be a priority for policy makers to change labour laws against the interest of workers while they fight for the sovereignty, integrity, democracy and prosperity of their country. This is, to say the least, extremely disappointing and frustrating.
“When we talk about workers’ rights, we need to look at two areas. One is the temporarily and unlawfully occupied areas where there are serious violations. We receive terrible reports from the ground about killings, torture, arbitrary detentions, forced work and forced deportation. The other one are the recent changes on almost all labour-related to laws, including individual and collective labour legislation, resulting in a huge regression.”
How do workers manage to continue given the war?
“They are courageously working. Imagine a mine worker going underground while bombs are falling. Energy workers try to provide electricity for people to ensure that daily life continues or try to repair damaged energy systems, putting their own lives at risk. They even do it without any or less payment, and without any protection.
“If there is still an economy in the country, it is thanks to the workers in industry, agriculture and services. They deserve much better than what they have today. They must be treated much better. Their rights must be improved instead of curtailed.
“Our main job as an international trade union is to support them – we must be their voice. Their government and the international community must understand the reality of workers. This is why we keep fighting outside and inside the country.”
For some workers, in nuclear plants for example, the health and safety situation is appalling. Can’t those workers simply refuse to work, as is their right?
“Workers are exposed to higher risks of missile attacks and landmines than the general population. They are forced to work in unsafe and unhealthy situations where the physical infrastructure and the workspace re damaged, health and safety management systems are not operational, and normal safety procedures are not followed.
“For nuclear workers, there is a high radiation exposure risk. It is reported that workers are denied information about health and safety risks because of changes in the working environment and the invasion. It is very difficult to get information from those workplaces, therefore we don’t know if workers have opportunity to remove themselves from imminent danger and potentially unsafe situations at work.
“We are very concerned with the fact that workers are not provided personal protective equipment of the same quality as before. Every worker must have a right to a safe and healthy work environment. Refuse to work in unsafe conditions is a fundamental right. However, under the circumstances workers are forced to do many things without consent. This is the ground reality which needs to be exposed and fixed.”
How have the labour laws changed in Ukraine and how will the changes impact workers?
“Immediately after the outbreak of the war, in March 2022, the Ukrainian Parliament enacted the Law on the Organization of Labour Relations Under Martial Law. This has immensely restricted individual and collective workers’ rights.
“In addition, the Parliament enacted a series of laws in 2022 which resulted in a massive setback for labour rights, in fact constituting a threat to fundamental labour relations, and in broader term to social dialogue. The latter is badly needed in the country at this very difficult time.
“This is a continuation of the so-called reform for liberalization of labour and deregulation of industrial relations in Ukraine. It is unfortunate that instead of improving the current Labour Code, Ukrainian policy makers change labour laws, removing almost all rights gained by workers.
“In consequence, there is no protection for workers. This is the Ukrainian version of a race to the bottom for workers, in line with the prescriptions of international finance institutions. But this is the wrong way.”
Why is it important to highlight violations of workers’ rights during a war?
“It is important because it is the raison d’etre our movement. In every circumstance, defending workers’ rights is our primary responsibility.
“It is important because in a war, workers’ voices, particularly in the occupied areas, are not heard. We, the international unions, have to be the voice of voiceless. Intergovernmental agencies must know the reality of workers in order to take necessary action. This is why we issue sector briefs with the ILO, for example.
“It is important because what has been done and is being done must be taken recorded for accountability and responsibility. The international community cannot let anyone get away with it. In the world of labour, it is our responsibility to do bring it to light.”
Protecting workers' rights in Ukraine during the war and in the reconstruction of the country
“People, workers and unions in Ukraine have our unwavering support,”
said IndustriALL assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan as he opened the two days dedicated to discussions on what kind of country Ukraine wants to be after the war and how it wants to treat its people, incorporating trade unions into the debate as a pivotal actor.
“There is a burning need to address labour and human rights violations. We need to share the realities on the ground and bring evidence to the attention of international authorities, particularly to the ILO. Although it is war time, the voice of workers must be heard internationally.”
“We must also look ahead and prepare for the reconstruction of the country. With trade unions on board, if post-war Ukraine is to start on a democratic footing,”
stressed Isabelle Barthès, industriAll Europe Deputy General Secretary.
“Massive investment will be needed, and we must be sure that this investment is made based on respect for workers’ rights.”
The tripartite meeting on 13 July brought together 13 trade unions in Ukraine affiliated to IndustriALL Global Union and industriAll Europe, as well as representatives from the ILO, the UN and Ukraine’s government and employers. The trade unions had held an internal discussion the day before with the participation of their national centres, the Federation of Ukrainian Trade Unions (FUP) and the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (KVPU).
Valeriy Matov (President Nuclear Power and Industry Workers Union – Atomprofspilka); Mykhailo Volynets (President Independent Trade Union of Miners – NPGU and Confederation of Independent Unions of Ukraine – KVPU, member of Parliament); Kemal Özkan; Alexander Bercht (IGBCE board member); Felix Hett (Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung representative for Ukraine)
Workers’ rights in times of war – testimonies
In emotional addresses, trade union representatives from the mining, electronics and engineering, aircraft, oil and gas, and chemical sectors, described the reality for workers in war-torn Ukraine, experiencing daily bombing of factories, a lack of specialized staff and production stoppages.
Coal mining is crucial for the country’s economy and energy supplies. Union leaders from the mining sector told of a lack of skilled labour as young people have been drafted into the army and others have fled the country.
The health and safety situation in the mines is precarious. Workers mine without adequate personal protective equipment. Dust levels, for example, can be up to three times higher than allowed. As many mines are heavily in debt, social security contributions are not made, making it impossible to fund early retirement for miners despite working in dangerous conditions.
In the occupied areas, Donetsk and Luhansk, the situation for workers is extremely difficult. Information is difficult to obtain as those who communicate with unions outside the occupied territories risk serious reprisals from the oppressors.
But there have been reports of forced Russian citizenship, forced conscription into the Russian army, illegal mines that do not meet environmental standards, women and children forced to work in mines, and flooded mines, which are an environmental disaster.
The two representatives from the UN, Noel Kalhoun and Denise Brown, reinforced how difficult but also how important, it is to gather testimonials of violations.
“It is increasingly difficult to find people to talk to, but we need to do this or else it will be forgotten. We talk to victims and witnesses, on the phone or in person, to establish the truth about what is happening. These reports become part of the UN’s permanent record of what is taking place in Ukraine and are heard in Geneva and New York.”
“Workers' rights are human rights, and these rights need to be protected during war time as well. You can, and you should, help your members report violations of their rights,”
said Casper Edmonds, ILO head of unit for extractives, energy & manufacturing.
“We need to build the record of what is happening in the areas temporarily controlled by the Russian Federation. The rapes, the killings, the forced labour and violations of health and safety at work and of freedom of association need to be on record so that we can hold perpetrators to account.”
Labour law changes erode workers’ rights
Immediately after the start of the war, in March 2022, the Ukrainian Parliament passed the Law on the Organisation of Labour Relations under Martial Law. This severely restricted the exercise of workers' individual and collective rights.
A series of further laws in 2022 resulted in a massive setback for labour rights in the country, posing a major threat to the foundations of labour relations and, more broadly, to social dialogue. The latter is desperately needed by the country at this very difficult time in the midst of war and occupation.
The bills are a continuation of the so-called reform to liberalise the labour market and deregulate industrial relations in Ukraine. Unfortunately, instead of improving the current Labour Code, Ukrainian policymakers are taking away almost all the rights that workers have gained.
The result is no protection for workers and a race to the bottom for workers in line with the prescriptions of the international financial institutions.
Among the changes is a new law that excludes workers in small and medium-sized enterprises from legal protection through a new "contractual regime for regulating labour relations". Under this law, all working conditions are determined by an employment contract rather than by labour law.
Collective agreements remain in force under martial law but are not respected, and employers can suspend parts of collective agreements without consulting unions. A suspension of payments for recreation and sport has led to a suspension of payments to unions. The budget law prevents wage increases.
“Recent labour law changes in Ukraine are far from international standards. They are harmful and they are wrong. Changes must be advanced through social dialogue,”
said Kemal Özkan.
Post-war reconstruction
Since the invasion in February last year, around 5 million people have fled the country and Ukraine counts 4-5 million internally displaced. Add to that war veterans, a whole generation of children and teenagers with trauma, 120,000 new disabled people in the first six months of 2023 alone.
Hundreds of thousands of women have taken on a new role, assuming responsibility for providing for their families. However, there is no system in place to care for their parents and/or children, which traditionally have been the responsibility of women.
“The question of post-war reconstruction in Ukraine needs our full attention. How, and by whom, will it be financed? How do we impose social conditions on investments? How are trade unions involved the discussions? There will be no reconstruction without social justice and without strengthening workers’ and trade union rights”,
insisted Isabelle Barthès.
Rebuilding the country needs to consider more than rebuilding roads and houses. It must also take into account pensions, retraining and delivering a Just Transition for workers, for a modern economy is not only built on extraction and agriculture, but also manufacturing.
The transition to green energy will be a huge challenge for the Ukraine. New mines continue to open and coal is still the most available and abundant form of energy. Miners in Ukraine need a Just Transition and a vision for the future of coal. The upcoming cooperation project between Ukrainian mining unions and the German IGBCE will be an important learning opportunity. The energy and mining union has a long history of transforming the German coal sector with union involvement.
Trade unions need to start developing their demands to play a role in reconstructing the country, whether it involves macroeconomic or labour market policies. Without voicing their demands, the voices of workers who are playing a crucial role during the occupation will be missing.
Commenting on the recent report on violations of fundamental workers’ rights by IndustriALL and the ILO, Casper Edmonds said:
“If it was not for the 1,200 workers diligently doing their jobs, there would probably already have been a major nuclear incident.”
“These two days have been very fruitful, emotional, and very constructive. Workers need to be at the centre of rebuilding the country,”
said Kemal Özkan.
“We need to give people a reason to return to Ukraine. Wages and protection must be guaranteed.”
