Ukrainian trade unionists in the industrial city of Kryvyi Rih have issued an important appeal for solidarity in the lead up to June 6–9 European Union (EU) elections, reminding Europe’s politicians that workers always bear the greatest burden of war.
Kryvyi Rih is a strategic mining and steel-production hub located just 70 kilometres from the front line of the war in Ukraine. Ever since President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, it has been a frequent target of Russian missile attacks.
Repelling Russia’s invasion is therefore a life-or-death concern for Kryvyi Rih’s workers and their unions.
Independent Trade Union of Miners leader Yuriy Samoilov — who chaired the meeting where the appeal was adopted — : “In our families, every other conversation is about the war, about those who are currently serving, about how to help them, because the vast majority of those mobilised are ordinary workers.
“Clearly, this has become the union’s priority.”
However, according to the unionists, the air defences and weapons workers need to protect themselves and push back the invading forces are sorely lacking.
They note in their appeal addressed to political representatives in Europe and the world: “The resilience of Ukrainian society depends on ordinary workers who make up the majority of the armed forces and ensure the functioning of the home front in logistics, production and maintenance of critical infrastructure…”
But “our comrades are dying on the frontline, forced to fight without enough arms supplies. And in the absence of proper air defence, our power plants, factories and homes are being hit by devastating strikes.
“With truly unwavering support, this would not have been inevitable.”
Moreover, Ukrainian workers are not just having to confront Russian aggression, they add. Under the mist of war, Ukraine’s government has been waging a “war” of its own against workers’ rights.
“While we continue to get paid peanuts, work overtime and live under the constant threat of being kicked out onto the street, our government is much more concerned with deregulation and creating favourable conditions for business owners.”
“Favourable conditions” refers to laws passed since the war started that, among other things, enable “zero hour” contracts, curtail the collective bargaining rights of about 70% of the workforce, and raise the legal working hours in strategic sectors.
Ukraine’s government has justified these as necessary in times of war. Yet none of the legislation passed by parliament requires anti-worker provisions be lifted once the war ends.
The appeal also points out that European governments have largely offered hypocrisy rather than real support.
It is no secret governments are “justifying freezing wages, raising prices, cancelling holidays and cutting social spending … as necessary to support Ukraine…
“At the same time [they] continu[e] mutually beneficial trade with Russia, with money and technology supporting [Russia’s] military capacities.”
The appeal outlines five ways politicians can support Ukrainian workers.
One way is halting “weapons exports to third countries and prioritis[ing] the supply of arms and ammunition” to Ukraine: “Our war should not become a pretext for profiteering by arms dealers!”
Other means include “mak[ing] it impossible for Putin’s regime to circumvent sanctions” and writing off Ukraine’s foreign debt.
They also call for “confiscat[ing] Russian assets, shut[ting] down offshore companies and tax[ing] the super-rich” to pay for aid to Ukraine — rather than slash social spending — and ensure it is spent on healthcare, education, housing, public infrastructure and creating decent jobs.
Finally, politicians can help by supporting Ukrainian workers in their fight to defend union and collective bargaining rights, and applying pressure on the Ukrainian government to involve unions in “decision-making at all levels”.
The appeal was adopted at a meeting on May 1, International Workers’ Day, attended by representatives from independent trade unions at ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, Kryvyi Rih Iron Ore Plant, Metinvest and Rudomine, as well as members of the Kryvyi Rih Free Trade Union of Healthcare Workers and the Kryvyi Rih Free Trade Union of Educators and Scientists.
Activists from the Direct Action student union, feminist group Witches of Kryvbas, humanitarian NGO Spravedlyvist (Justice) and Social Movement, a democratic socialist organisation, were also present.
Since its launch, the appeal has gained support from other union, student and social activists from across Ukraine.
The full statement can be read below.
Justice for Ukrainian workers! An appeal to political representatives in Europe and the world
Given that our fate often depends on your decisions, we, Ukrainian trade unionists and activists, would like to address you directly and emphasise the following:
While the international community is stuck in indecision, Russian occupation troops are gladly stepping up their offensive.
Our comrades are dying on the frontline, forced to fight without enough arms supplies. And in the absence of proper air defence, our power plants, factories and homes are being hit by devastating strikes.
With truly , this would not have been inevitable. However, for now, we have to face the aggressor mainly on our own.
The resilience of Ukrainian society depends on ordinary workers who make up the majority of the armed forces and ensure the functioning of the home front in logistics, production and maintenance of critical infrastructure.
At the same time, there is an increasingly visible social divide, where public goods exist just for the elite and the rest are left with only duties. This demoralises and threatens the country’s defence capability and its future.
Nonetheless, while we continue to get paid peanuts, work overtime and live under the constant threat of being kicked out onto the street, our government is much more concerned with deregulation and creating favourable conditions for business owners.
The safety and well-being of our families and friends are of absolute value to us; they make us hold on. Yet it is painfully clear that post-war Ukraine will lack opportunities for a decent life if wage-earners do not get the leverage to solve their problems.
It is with horror that we realise we will probably have to seek a better life abroad, working day and night and competing for starvation wages from greedy masters.
It is also no secret that your elites are justifying freezing wages, raising prices, cancelling holidays and cutting social spending as necessary to support Ukraine, while at the same time continuing mutually beneficial trade with Russia, with your money and technology supporting their military capacities.
Such a policy is extremely dangerous for solidarity and trust between our peoples.
We understand that only together can we defend democracy and social justice from the invasions of imperialists, the pressure of dictators, the appetites of oligarchs and the demagoguery of the far right.
Therefore, we call on you to:
1. Stop weapon exports to third countries and prioritise the supply of arms and ammunition necessary right now to defend Ukraine. Our war should not become a pretext for profiteering by arms dealers!
2. Make it impossible for Putin’s regime to circumvent sanctions. This requires, among other things, closing shady schemes used by Russian, Ukrainian and other oligarchs. Every transaction and spare part provided allows Russia to continue the war!
3. Write off the unfair debt and ensure your money is not spent on anti-social experiments in our country! International support should help to restore and expand universal healthcare and education, rebuild affordable housing and public infrastructure, and ensure decent jobs and working conditions.
4. Establish contacts with Ukrainian trade unions and civil society organisations, lobby for their involvement in decision-making at all levels, and insist on the importance of collective bargaining and freedom of associations! In a deformed political system, this is almost the only way for ordinary people to claim their rights.
5. Expose the use of solidarity to cover vested interests! Confiscate Russian assets, shut down offshore companies, and tax the super-rich, but do not present people with a false choice: sacrifice the fate of Ukrainians or take away from the most vulnerable at home!
Adopted at a meeting of trade union and student activists in Kryvbas on the occasion of International Labour Day chaired by Yuriy Samoilov and attended by representatives of independent trade unions ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, Kryvyi Rih Iron Ore Plant, Metinvest and Rudomine, the Kryvyi Rih Free Trade Union of Healthcare Workers, the Kryvyi Rih Free Trade Union of Educators and Scientists, the Direct Action student trade union, the Witches of Kryvbas NGO, the Spravedlyvist NGO and the Social Movement NGO.
[Those outside Ukraine wishing to express their support for this statement can do so by . Translated by . Edited for clarity. ]