From March 14 to 22, the Ukrainian city of Chernivtsi served as the venue for two occupational health and safety (OSH) training sessions designated for Ukrainian unionists affiliated with the Federation of Trade Unions (FPU) and the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine (KVPU), conducted under the program “Trade Unions Fighting Inequality and Reconstructing Peace and Democracy in Ukraine.”
Over 60 OSH experts, shop stewards, union federation leadership, and rank- and-file unionists representing diverse sectors, including mining, healthcare, education, and construction, engaged in a deep exchange of expertise focused on the “Norwegian Model” and its application to the Ukrainian context.
Norwegian experts from diverse sectoral unions extensively shared their insights on the Norwegian system, including its fundamentals and preferences, and actively participated in the Q&A sessions by addressing questions from Ukrainian union leaders.
From analyzing the impact of martial law on industrial safety in Ukraine, discussing the roles and responsibilities of occupational safety representatives, to exploring the Norwegian model of OSH and social dialogue, participants gained new knowledge and established networks necessary to advocate for safer working conditions at their workplaces.
Key topics included the authorities of the Labor Inspectorate in Ukraine and Norway, its roles in ensuring OSH compliance at workplaces, and efforts to engage youth in OSH issues while promoting health and safe working environments for young people.
Further attention was also devoted to the draft law of Ukraine, “On the Safety and Health Protection of Workers at Work,” (No.10147) and considerations regarding what workers and trade unions might anticipate following its adoption.
