Supporting the initiative of the International Trade Union Confederation  and calls of international trade union centers to organize on 7 October 2008 the World Day for Decent Work, the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine has organized  in Kyiv a large-scale public hearing   ‘Decent Work  in Ukraine – Foundation of Decent Life.'

   The public hearing  participants  -  representatives of  State executive authorities, associations of trade unions and employers, academicians, members of parliament – have noted with deep concern  that  in conditions of  global economic crisis the issue of decent work and  decent life  is of great importance and needs steady attention  and constructive interaction between the State institutions and civil society.

   It especially concerns Ukraine which labour market is characterized by low workers' wages level, unsatisfactory sanitary and hygienic working conditions and high traumatism at work, inefficient social protection system. As a result already today the domestic labour market cannot  satisfy the need for  skilled workers.

   The public hearing participants have unanimously adopted a resolution  in which they have called the government, together  with employers and trade unions, to develop in the nearest time and bring in on the discussion of society such country socio-economic development programme which would give possibilities to reach full productive employment, to raise wages and social protection in Ukraine to the level of  European standards.

   Besides that, today  the members of Youth Council of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine have organized in Kyiv a dramatized action ‘No to Shadow Wages' (a symbolic envelope with  shadow wage has been burnt). The action was organized in connection with non-provision of decent wages  for young people by the State authorities of Ukraine and employers.

   Taking into account  national importance and social meaningfulness of the World Day for Decent Work, the  FPU has initiated a number of public actions on decent work issues which took  place  in  other regions of country.