Ukraine Advances Inclusive Workplace Health Measures Amid War, Strengthening HIV Awareness, Rights Protection

The progress in Kyiv highlights a powerful message: in times of crisis, solidarity, informed leadership, and rights-based labour policies can protect lives, rebuild trust, and strengthen the foundation for a fairer future.

As Ukraine continues to endure the impacts of the full-scale war, initiatives promoting safe, inclusive, and rights-based workplaces have become increasingly vital. Despite difficult conditions, both workers and employers remain committed to upholding dignity, equality, and access to essential health services.

Recent progress in the Kyiv region, supported under the International Labour Organization’s Transitional Cooperation Strategy, demonstrates how strong collaboration between government institutions and social partners can lead to meaningful improvements — even during wartime.

“During the full-scale war, protecting workers’ dignity and access to health is more important than ever. The commitment shown by both workers and employers to advance inclusion, even under extremely difficult conditions, is truly remarkable,” said Aida Lindmeier, Director of the ILO Country Office for Ukraine, during a World AIDS Day activity focused on workplace HIV testing and awareness.

Since 2023, the ILO has supported the Together Against Discrimination initiative, which has reached more than 11,000 workers and employers through awareness campaigns, training sessions, and prevention programmes. A key milestone was the launch of Stop-hiv.kyiv.ua, a digital information and counselling platform offering accessible, confidential, and reliable support for workers seeking HIV-related guidance.

In addition, the Kyiv Regional Council of Trade Unions updated its Policy on Violence, Harassment, and Non-Discrimination at Work, ensuring strong and clear guidelines to protect workers — particularly those vulnerable due to health status or workplace risks heightened by wartime instability.

“Thanks to ILO support, we now have an important tool to reduce stigma and discrimination. This framework encourages the creation of a safe environment for all workers, regardless of their health status,” emphasized Vasyl Khvostikov, Head of the Kyiv Regional Council of Trade Unions.

Despite logistical obstacles and security threats, voluntary and confidential HIV counselling and testing remained operational. To date, 2,600 workers across 15 companies have accessed HIV testing services, with many also benefiting from broader screenings such as hepatitis testing and mobile lung health diagnostics.

The State Labour Service also conducted advisory visits, guiding enterprises to strengthen compliance with non-discrimination and worker safety policies. As a result, hundreds of companies have now adopted new internal frameworks addressing HIV protection, gender equality, and psychological safety — including efforts to prevent workplace mobbing.

All these achievements are now solidified in the 2025–2029 Kyiv Region Tripartite Agreement, ensuring continuity and long-term improvements to workplace rights and health protection.

Even in the midst of war, Ukraine’s workforce ecosystem — supported by national policymakers, employers, unions, and the ILO — is demonstrating that safeguarding worker dignity, rights, health access, and equality is not only possible but essential to resilience and recovery.

The progress in Kyiv highlights a powerful message: in times of crisis, solidarity, informed leadership, and rights-based labour policies can protect lives, rebuild trust, and strengthen the foundation for a fairer future.