Union calls for more funding for hospital sector

(August 2016) The Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine along with public sector trade unions have called on the government to take urgent action to increase public budgets. The unions argue that there is not enough money allocated to pay public sector wages for the whole year. Healthcare alone requires an extra UAH 2.58 billion (EUR 90 million). The unions argue that the shortfall in budgets is undermining workers’ rights as they are forced to take unpaid leave or shift to a part-time work and are losing out on other payments.

(June 2016) The union for National Academy of Sciences Workers organised a demonstration outside the parliament on 15 June call for a major increase in spending on science spending. The union points out that, according to the final provisions of the Law on Science, such funding should be 1.7% of GDP by 1 January 2020, but last year it was only 0.3% of GDP, and this year is 0.2%. The lack of funding is having a direct impact on science workers and if there is no increase then employees of the National Academy will either have to go on unpaid leave or work part-time. This is part of a long

New regulations have applied in the elderly care sector from 1 January which include a set of values about the treatment of the elderly, including dignity and personal integrity. The Kommunal local government trade union argues that it is all very well to have such regulations but staffing shortages means there is a serious question as to whether the values can be delivered. The union says that it is not just a question of ensuring minimum staffing levels but also on improving pay and conditions to attract more staff and ensure that they are properly trained. [Read more at > Kommunal (SV)-