A New Milestone for Domestic Workers in Ukraine 

On March 10, 2024, a new, first-of-its-kind labor union was formed in Ukraine – the Domestic Workers Union (official name – the Union of Home Staff).

The formation of the union is a testament to the unity and determination of the domestic workers’ community. It was a collective effort spearheaded by 17 dedicated activists from the Domestic Workers NGO (officially United Home Staff NGO), established in 2019 with the support of the Solidarity Center and Labor Initiatives NGO. 

The Union is now in the registration process. To avoid drastically changing the name, the Union left the acronym UHS. The NGO will continue to exist as a hub and community center for all categories of interested domestic workers. In its turn, the Union, which now encompasses nannies and babysitters, aims to become a visible actor in the lawmaking process regarding domestic workers’ regulations and serve as a knowledge and training resource for its members. 

Tetiana Lauhina, the head of the Domestic Workers NGO, who worked as a domestic worker in Ukraine for over ten years, was elected president of the newly formed union.

The forming of the union was a result of a multi-year campaign for the promotion of labor rights in this predominantly informal sector. Last year, SC and LI conducted the first nationwide research on domestic workers’ pressing needs and problems in Ukraine. The findings are available by link. This research presentation helped build bridges and establish partnerships between traditional unions and domestic workers in Ukraine.  

You can watch an interview with Tetiana Lauhina (in Ukrainian with English subtitles) for a more in-depth understanding of domestic workers’ realities in Ukraine.