Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine: SYSTEMIC PRESSURE ON TRADE UNION RIGHTS IN UKRAINE INTENSIFIES (11 April 2025)

One of the most alarming manifestations of such pressure was the personal search and detention by security forces of the FPU Chairman Hryhorii Osovyi on 9 April during his arrival at the reporting and election conference of the Federation of Trade Unions of Volyn region. This detention, with cynical disregard for human rights by law enforcement, deliberately disrupted his planned speech and communication with delegates representing over 70,000 union members in the region.

This step was evidently intended to provoke destabilisation at the conference, to discredit the most numerous and influential trade union association in the country – the FPU, and to create an atmosphere of uncertainty on the eve of a key vote in the Verkhovna Rada regarding Bill No. 6420 on the alienation of property of trade unions and other public organisations into state ownership, so that no one would doubt its urgency. Moreover, according to the plan developed on the Pechersk Hills, ARMA has already begun the immediate seizure of the Trade Unions Building, in order to expel the trade unions into the street, thus making their statutory activities impossible.

It has also become known that on 10 April, the Pechersk Court of Kyiv made a decision on house arrest of the FPU Chairman, member of the General Council and Vice-President of the International Confederation of Trade Unions, member of the Executive Committee of the European Confederation of Trade Unions and the Pan-European Regional Council, in order to disorganise the internal and international work of the FPU.
Since the proclamation of state independence, the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine has consistently and firmly defended the right of trade union members to collective property created by their many years of work. Today’s actions by the authorities are perceived as an attempt to finally complete the process of illegal and non-transparent alienation of trade union property, which today performs important functions, providing medical and sanatorium services to workers, military personnel, and shelter for internally displaced persons. This raises deep concerns not only in Ukraine but also in the international community, and requires public discussion and immediate response from state authorities, the President of Ukraine as the guarantor of constitutional rights of workers, and civil society.

These events are taking place contrary to the recommendations of the International Labour Organisation, which has repeatedly called on the Ukrainian authorities and trade unions to sit at the negotiating table and restore social dialogue with trade unions and employers to ensure transparent reforms in Ukraine.
The Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine calls on all union members to unity, solidarity and active position in defending their legitimate rights and interests, using all mechanisms provided by law, including legal, public and international protection instruments.

Press Centre of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine

 Interfax Ukraine: Prosecutors expose* leaders of the labour organisations Ukrproftur and Federation of Trade Unions (FPU) on charges of of misappropriation of state property

Employees of the State Bureau of Investigation in cooperation with the SBU exposed the illegal activities of the management of Ukrproftur and officials of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine, who organized a scheme for the illegal alienation of state property of trade union organizations worth more than UAH 20 million.
“During the pre-trial investigation, it was established that during 2016-2018, the offenders entered into four fictitious contracts for the sale and purchase of real estate in Rivne. The total estimated value of these objects was over UAH 20 million (625,000 EUR). For example, the premises of one of the restaurants were sold at a reduced price of only UAH 4.1 million. Relatives of one of Ukrproftur’s executives became the new owners,” the SBI press service reports.
According to the available information, the staff of the institution served representatives of law enforcement agencies and local authorities with discounts of more than 20%. In this way, the organizers tried to establish personal connections and avoid inspections.
As part of the investigation, the SBI seized documents and electronic media confirming the illegal transactions.
Five people were served a notice of suspicion under Part 1 of Art. 255 (creation, management and participation in a criminal organization), Part 5 of Art. 191 (misappropriation, embezzlement of property in especially large amounts) and Part 3 of Art. 209 (legalization of property obtained by criminal means). of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Four suspects were detained. In the near future, a motion will be filed with the court to choose a custody as a measure of restraint with an alternative to bail in the amount of UAH 100 million.
The investigation is ongoing. Other possible episodes of criminal activity are being established.

Interfax - Ukraine

*This is incorrect. Throughout the article, Interfax suggests that those accused are guilty of crimes and have been exposed. In fact, so far, Prosecutors have only arrested the labour leaders. Only a court will determine if crimes have been ’exposed’ and who is responsible. [AN]