Silence as Consent to Inequality: Why Discrimination Needs to be Voiced

In March, LI lawyer Alina Antonenko wrote a column for one of Ukraine’s leading analytical media outlets, Economical Pravda.

In her article, the LI lawyer explores the hidden nature of workplace discrimination in Ukraine and explains why workers often remain silent when facing unfair treatment. She also shares a real-life example from an educational institution where two social workers holding the same Master’s degrees were treated differently.

The article outlines several psychological and systemic barriers that prevent workers from speaking out, including:

• Uncertainty: Many workers struggle to recognize discriminatory treatment because, although the law prohibits discrimination, it does not always clearly explain how to identify its more subtle forms.

• Fear of Retaliation: Workers are often afraid of dismissal, loss of bonuses, or worsening working conditions. This fear becomes even stronger when there is no support from colleagues.

• Difficulty of Proof: In court, the burden of proof remains high. A worker must clearly demonstrate that the employer’s negative actions are connected to a protected characteristic such as age, disability, or trade union membership.

• Distrust in Institutions: Many workers believe that filing complaints is pointless and that state institutions or courts will not provide quick or fair protection.

The LI lawyer also proposes a practical algorithm for action that includes documenting violations, appealing to the relevant authorities, and seeking support from a trade union. In her view, collective action remains the most effective form of protection. When workers act together through a union, employers cannot easily isolate or pressure individuals.

The article concludes that discrimination and unfair treatment “feed on silence.” Legal guarantees can become meaningful only through awareness, an active professional position, and the structural support of trade unions.

*This publication was prepared within the framework of the project “Trade Unions Fighting Inequality and Reconstructing Peace and Democracy in Ukraine”, implemented by the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) in partnership with Labour Initiatives NGO with financial support from Norway. The content of this publication cannot be regarded as reflecting the views of the Government of Norway or LO.