"The pie" in 15 billions

Representatives of independent trade unions are henceforth thrown out from Boards of funds of obligatory state social insurance. Hundred thousand if not millions people which aren't members of the trade-union organizations of Federation of trade unions of Ukraine, are deprived possibility even the minimum influence (through the trade unions) on distribution of means of social payments paid by them. As a matter of fact, in general there are three funds - on a case of unemployment, time disability, occupational diseases and accidents on manufacture. Their cumulative annual budget makes over 15 billions grivnas.

It that money which go, or should go, under the law, on payment of sick-lists, improvement and rest of adults and children, the help to jobless, pregnant, time invalids, etc.

The law has established that the manager of means of funds are representatives from the state, employers and trade unions (on an equal footing - on 15 persons in board of each fund). Since 2000 there is an arrangement between trade unions which consists in the following: in board of each fund from 15 representatives of trade unions 10 - from Federation of trade unions of Ukraine, 5 - from all Ukraine professional associations which aren't a part of Federation of trade unions of Ukraine.

These five members which not from Federation of trade unions of Ukraine select on All Ukraine gathering of heads of trade unions and trade-union associations which aren't included into Federation of trade unions of Ukraine. A term of appointment of representatives - 6 years. Last time them have selected in 2007.

The problem has appeared in May of this year, when the management of Federation of trade unions of Ukraine (first of all - the head of Federation of trade unions of Ukraine Vasily Нara) has decided to get rid in funds from those representatives of independent trade unions whom it is too frequent, according to Federation of trade unions of Ukraine, didn't support the Federation position. First of all in a question of distribution of means of funds of social insurance.

It was possible to make such "cleaning" only illegal way, but has worked the old Soviet principle ingeniously formulated by Michael Zhvanetsky: "If it is impossible, but very much it would be desirable, - it is possible".

There are decisions of the GRB on changes in structure of boards and supervising councils of funds. The GRB is General representation body of trade unions for participation in negotiations with the government on drawing up of the General agreement and control over its performance.

In the General representation body, certainly, "controlling stock" of voices belongs to Federation of trade unions of Ukraine, as to the biggest professional association of the country.

GRB it is created only for negotiations with the government and on one decision which has been not connected with such negotiations, no right has. In it law infringement on which the Federation has gone also consists.

I specify, meeting of professional associations which aren't a part of Federation of trade unions of Ukraine, any decisions concerning any changes in structure of directing bodies of funds, certainly, didn't accept and don't plan to accept.

However, formally not all new representatives of trade unions in funds are federated members of trade unions of Ukraine. Remained (or there were members of boards and supervising councils) representatives of those "independent" who never voted contrary to the Federation position. And also representatives of such "independent" trade unions, as, for example, trade unions of workers of tax service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, etc.

These trade unions on a paper independent because at all Ukraine level the Federation of trade unions of Ukraine (but their regional organizations are completely formal members of the regional trade-union Federation Councils of trade unions of Ukraine and have offices in houses of these most regional trade-union councils) aren't a part. In a word - fashionable nowadays - "carcasses".

What it is had as a result of Hara's decision - Federations of trade unions of Ukraine - GRB? Hundred thousand if not millions people which aren't members of the trade-union organizations of Federation of trade unions of Ukraine, are deprived possibility even the minimum influence (through the trade unions) on distribution of means of social payments paid by them.

Among them and members of the organizations of our Federation of trade unions of workers of small and average business which, in effect, is the unique representative of interests of workers in this spheres (as a part of Federation of trade unions of Ukraine aren't present branch trade union of workers of small and average business).

All our appeals and references to Federation of trade unions of Ukraine to correct this abnormal situation remained without positive reaction. Business, probably, will reach court. So independent trade unions take out this problem on wide weight for this purpose if only people knew who and for what will have legal proceedings.

 

Viacheslav Roi,

 

The head of Federation of trade unions of workers of small and average enterprise of Ukraine,

 

For the magazine “ Ukrainska Pravda ”