The Freelance Legal Inspection by the Youth Council is:

An initiative of the Youth Council of the Trade Union of Railway and Transport Builders of Ukraine, designed to strengthen the human rights component of the union’s work. It is about launching a freelance legal inspection that will complement the existing system of legal instruments of the Union.

How did the project come about?

Planning began in 2021 with joint work with experts from the Trade Union Council and the Chief Legal Inspector of Labor. We carefully studied the resolutions of the Presidium, the Regulations, discussed them in internal channels, and collected suggestions from young people to write a thorough project.

The main objectives of the project:

1. To create mechanisms through which young trade union activists on the ground will be able to respond promptly to cases of labor rights violations, in particular among workers under the age of 35.

2. Provide a direct channel for submissions and appeals on labor, social and economic issues.

3. Strengthen youth representation in internal decision-making processes of the trade union.

4. To train interested trade union youth in the basics of labor legislation, wage formation, etc.

Project authors:

– Kateryna Izmailova, Head of the Youth Council;

– Victoria Pimenova and Yevhen Stempkovsky, former deputy chairmen of the Youth Council;

– Ivan Petrashchuk, chairman of the youth council of the Lviv Railway;

– Mikhail Shostak, head of the youth council of the GIOC branch.

There is also coordination by the activists of the Youth Council at various levels.

✅ Why is it important?

Gives young union members a real and tangible impact on the protection of their rights and interests.

Strengthens legal support for trade union work on the ground.

Increases the transparency of decision-making processes and involvement of young people in them.