29 July 2020

Ukraine’s parliament is considering draft amendments to the country’s trade union law that, if adopted, would impose serious and unjustified restrictions on workers’ rights to freedom of association, Human Rights Watch said today. They would also violate Ukraine’s international commitments to uphold labor standards.

In a July 16, 2020 letter, Human Rights Watch urged members of parliament to withdraw the draft amendments and ensure that any future measures affecting trade unions not only respect domestic and international labor and human rights standards but help bring Ukraine into full compliance with those standards.

“This draft law would erode workers’ rights to organize and weaken trade unions,” said Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Trade unions are fundamental to voicing workers’ interests in Ukraine, and the government should protect their right to organize and bargain collectively.”