One of the Ukrainian confederations, KVPU, states: "We cannot stay with FNPR in one global organization. We demand the immediate exclusion of the FNPR from the ITUC in connection with the support of the war in Ukraine, support for the war crimes of the Russian leadership and complicity in the spread of criminal propaganda."
To: Sharan Burrow, the General Secretary of the ITUC, 26.02.2022
On behalf of the members of the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine, I want to express gratitude to you for your support during the war in Ukraine.
As is known to the whole world, Russia viciously attacked Ukraine and began a full invasion from all sides. Ukrainians are now fighting for independence, freedom and democracy.
With great indignation, the Ukrainian trade union read the communiqué and statement of the FNPR in support of Putin's war in Ukraine (see below).
We emphasize that this statement is written in the best traditions of Putin's propaganda, which the whole world heard again when the President of Russia declared war on Ukraine.
All those whom the FNPR called “Nazis and banderovtsy” are in fact ordinary workers, officials, in particular, medics, miners, and transport workers etc. The trade union members were among those who first met the occupier in Ukraine. Also, they continue to work at important enterprises, hospitals, transport and other objects under Russian bullets,air force attack, cruise missiles, and “GRAD” rockets.
We have not considered the FNPR a sister trade union for a long time and we remember their call for and support for the annexation of Crimea in 2014. It should be recalled that our Ukrainian independent trade unions were banned and their leaders were kidnapped, tortured and killed in the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
We emphasize that in Ukraine, Russia is grossly violating international humanitarian law: it attacks civilian facilities, infrastructure, hydroelectric power plants, thermal and nuclear power plants, hospitals, kindergartens and schools. The Chernobyl nuclear power plant was seized, and workers, members of the FPU and KVPU, were taken hostage. This is the threat of a global nuclear catastrophe. There is also a threat that Russia is attacking hydroelectric plants, which will be an instant catastrophe with thousands of victims.
We did not consider the FNPR a sister union, but now we cannot stay with them in one global organization. We demand the immediate exclusion of the FNPR from the ITUC in connection with the support of the war in Ukraine, support for the war crimes of the Russian leadership and complicity in the spread of criminal propaganda at the next meeting of the General Council of the ITUC.
In solidarity, Mykhailo Volynets, Chairperson of the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine (KVPU)
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Here is the horrible statement of FNPR, the largest trade union confederation in Russia,made the day of the invasion:
“The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia supports the decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin to carry out an operation to denazify Ukraine. The future of the country should be determined by its people, but gangs of Bendera, nationalists and accomplices of the Nazis should not put pressure on their will. We sympathize with those who were forced to evacuate to Russian territory by regular shelling and the death of loved ones. The trade unions of Russia render all possible assistance to them. We believe that peace will return to Ukraine, and Ukraine will become a democratic, peaceful, neutral state.
Hitlers and Selenskyis come and go, but international worker solidarity remains.Peace to the nations! War on the Nazis!”
The smaller Russian confederation, KTR, has a totally different position, and should be supported. KTR calls for cessation of military action, as rapidly as possible, and the renewal of peaceful dialogue and coexistence.
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