Intersyndicale
To: Mr Jean-Noël Barrot Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Hôtel du Quai d'Orsay 37, quai d'Orsay 75700 Paris SP 07
Subject: Urgent letter concerning attacks on trade unions in Ukraine
Paris, April 29, 2025
Dear Minister,
The CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, UNSA, Solidaires and FSU wish to express their deep concern about the recent attacks against trade unions by the Ukrainian government, and request France's intervention to ensure full respect for trade union rights in Ukraine
French trade union organisations and the entire European trade union movement reiterate their full support for Ukrainian trade unions [see here the statement by the European Trade Union Confederation ]
We express our solidarity and support for the FPU following the latest attacks on trade union property and the house arrest of its president and member of the Executive Committee of European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Grigoriy Osovyi
As Ukraine engages in accession talks, it is essential to ensure full respect for the social gains, full respect for the role of social partners and trade unions, and the promotion and strengthening of social dialogue and collective bargaining
The European Commission has emphasised in the Ukraine 2024 report the need for the government to “strengthen the capacity of social partners”. In this context, trade union rights must always be fully respected.
Instead, the Ukrainian government is launching attacks against free trade unions and violating trade union rights, including by attempting to seize trade union property.
This offensive has gone as far as placing Grygoriy Osovyi, President of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine and member of the ETUC Executive Committee, under house arrest.
On 9 April, he was arrested in Lutsk, where he had travelled to attend a regional trade union conference. The reason for his detention is suspicion of involvement in an allegedly illegal decision to dispose of trade union property ten years ago.
At the same time, Bill 6420 proposing to seize trade union property continues to be examined by the Ukrainian parliament
We recall that the ILO requires member states to guarantee “the right to adequate protection of trade union property as one of the essential civil liberties for the normal exercise of trade union rights”.
The CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, UNSA, Solidaires and FSU trade unions and the entire European trade union movement urge the Ukrainian government to remove the threat to the leadership and property of the FPU and to develop a program in line with ILO obligations and EU obligations to support genuine social dialogue, recognise trade union prerogatives and guarantee the protection of trade union property.
The CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, UNSA, Solidaires and FSU continue to condemn the war of aggression waged by Russia against Ukraine, which cannot be used as an excuse to attack trade unions or undermine their capacity, particularly at this crucial time when labour reforms are under discussion.
We call on France to take urgent measures against the Ukrainian government to urge it to cease attacks on trade unions and to guarantee full respect for trade union rights and prerogatives. This is also crucial in the context of the EU accession process.
We look forward to your positive response and remain available to provide any further information you may require. We would like to thank you in advance for your support.
Yours sincerely,
Béatrice Lestic National Secretary in charge of international policy (CFDT)
Boris Plazzi Confederal Secretary in charge of international International Affairs (CGT)
Branislav Rugani Confederal Secretary International Sector Europe (FO)
Anne-Catherine Cudennec National Secretary Europe, International & Human Rights (CFE-CGC)
Anne Chatain Deputy General Secretary (CFTC)
Caroline Chevé General Secretary (FSU)
Rachel Brishoual National Secretary Europe International (UNSA)
Jerôme Bonnard Trade Union Solidaires