On 9-10 October 2021, representatives of the Trade Union of Housing and Communal Services, Local Industry and Domestic Services of Ukraine took part in the conference “Combating Social Dumping and Ensuring Decent Working Conditions for All”, organized by the Joint Professional Association of Denmark ("3F").

The conference, dedicated to the World Day for Decent Work, was focused on how to create decent working conditions in Denmark for all workers, including from other European countries. Leaders of trade unions from Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Nepal, Poland, Romania, Uzbekistan and Ukraine took part in the event.

According to Anthony Sylvester, who represents the Labour Market, Education and Integration Secretariat of the “3F” and coordinates one of the professional communities of migrant workers from Eastern Europe, it is important to ensure that labour rights, Danes have fought for the last 100 years, are protected in Denmark so that workers from other countries will not be abused, exploited and underpaid.

Ambassador of Ukraine Mykhailo Vydoinyk who also took part in the Conference stressed that the issue of protection of the rights and interests of Ukrainian citizens abroad is one of the priority areas of Ukraine’s foreign policy. The Ambassador called on Ukrainian migrant workers to become members of Danish trade unions, as they would then be able to defend their labour rights more effectively. The head of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission also encouraged Ukrainian workers to return to their homeland and develop their business, using the knowledge and skills acquired abroad.

Oleksiy Romaniuk, Chairman of the Trade Union of Public Service Workers, in turn, noted that Ukraine has some difficulties with social dialogue, but the trade union organization nevertheless seeks to raise social standards, create and preserve jobs and repay wage arrears, even if sometimes it is necessary to use the tools of “street democracy”.

During additional meetings with the leadership of “3F” the Ukrainian delegation discussed the issues of social dumping, wage dumping, challenges to the free movement of migrant workers and the importance of their organization.

The Joint Professional Association of Denmark (“Fagligt Fælles Forbund” or “3F”) is the largest trade union in Denmark, with around 268,000 members. It provides advice to workers and offers a wide range of training and unemployment insurance offers. About 18% of “3F” members are foreign nationals.

“3F” actively cooperated with Ukrainian trade unions on restructuring, as well as with the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine on decentralization. Recent “3F” projects in Ukraine have been aimed at supporting the Trade Union of Construction and Building Materials Industry Workers of Ukraine, the Trade Union of Agricultural Workers of Ukraine and the Trade Union of Public Service Workers of Ukraine.

Photo Credit: Trade Union of Public Service Workers of Ukraine