Regional Consultations on Informal Economy

On May 25, 2023, George Sandul and Inna Kudinska, LI legal director and a lawyer affiliated with LI and SC in Ukraine, respectively, participated in online consultations for the Europe and Central Asia region organized by the ILAW (International Lawyers Assisting Workers) Network. This meeting was dedicated to providing an overview of the informal economy and the right to form unions to Clement Voule, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association. 

In particular, George and Inna highlighted examples of union organizing in the informal sector, among platform and domestic workers (“Uber’ and “Bolt” drivers unions, United Home Staff NGO). Also, the Free Trade Union of Entrepreneurs was mentioned as an example of a mostly street vendors’ union affiliated with one of the national union centers. 

George stressed that the bargaining process for these unions was not classical as in formal sectors – for example, the Free Trade Union of Entrepreneurs of Ukraine mostly bargains not about wages/conditions, but about rent payments on the market spaces, etc. Inna also presented provisions of the new draft law on domestic workers’ regulation which was now being prepared for the second reading in the parliament. 

Following the consultations, LI and SC experts submitted their written input to the UN Special Rapporteur Office about freedom of association for informal workers in Ukraine.