Timoshenko calls labour protection law a breach of Ukraine's European obligations

Criticism of the adopted document

Yulia Timoshenko, leader of the Batkivshchyna party, voiced sharp criticism of bill No. 10147, which concerns the safety and health of workers. In her assessment, despite its title, this act abolishes all existing guarantees for health protection in the workplace and key benefits for individuals performing duties in hazardous conditions or under increased risk.

Losses for workers

«Працівники завдяки цьому закону втратять пільгове пенсійне забезпечення, гарантії щодо робочого часу та додаткових оплачуваних відпусток. А з роботодавців водночас знімають відповідальність за створення безпечних умов праці. А от ті, хто отримає травму на роботі, на безоплатне лікування можуть не розраховувати» (Thanks to this law, workers will lose preferential pension provision, guarantees regarding working hours and additional paid leave. At the same time, employers are relieved of responsibility for creating safe working conditions. And those who get injured at work can count on no free treatment), explained Yulia Timoshenko.

According to the politician, the consequences of the new changes will be most strongly felt by representatives of high-risk professions: miners, metallurgists, chemists, pharmacists, and thousands of other people who work daily under conditions of increased risk.

Contradiction with European standards

Yulia Timoshenko emphasised that the proposed changes have nothing to do with European integration and, on the contrary, violate Ukraine's obligations and EU labour protection standards.

«Цей законопроєкт прямо суперечить Директиві Ради 89/391/ЄЕС від 12 червня 1989 року, де чітко говориться, що заборонено будь-якими законами відносно працівників погіршувати їхні умови праці. Також у нас є з вами Угода про асоціацію з Європейським Союзом, стаття 296 якої прямо забороняє послаблювати або знижувати рівень охорони праці» (This bill directly contradicts Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989, which clearly states that it is prohibited to worsen working conditions for workers by any laws. We also have an Association Agreement with the European Union, Article 296 of which directly prohibits weakening or lowering the level of labour protection), added the leader of Batkivshchyna.

Position of trade unions and the vote

Fourteen Ukrainian industry-specific trade unions, international trade union structures, and the International Labour Organization opposed the adoption of this document.

Despite the opposition, the bill was adopted in its entirety by the votes of 246 members of parliament. Representatives of the Batkivshchyna faction did not cast a single vote in favour of this bill.