ILO and Belgium Support Ukrainian Trade Unions as War Intensifies Pressure on Workers’ Mental Health and Workplace Safety

One of the central themes of the Lviv meeting was the escalating mental health crisis facing Ukrainian workers after more than two years of war.

The International Labour Organization (ILO), with financial support from the Government of Belgium, is intensifying efforts to strengthen Ukrainian trade unions as they respond to the mounting social, psychological and workplace pressures caused by the ongoing war.

At a high-level gathering held in Lviv on 28–29 April 2026, trade union representatives from across Ukraine's critical sectors came together to develop practical strategies for supporting workers living and working under wartime conditions, with particular focus on mental health, occupational safety and health (OSH), and adapting labour services to rapidly changing realities.

The event underscored the increasingly vital role trade unions are playing in helping Ukrainian society maintain essential services and workforce resilience amid continued conflict, economic disruption and large-scale social displacement.

Participants included representatives from sectors considered essential to Ukraine's wartime functioning and future recovery, including:

• Energy

• Mining

• Healthcare

• Education

• Culture

• Transport

The discussions reflected growing recognition that Ukraine's labour movement has become a frontline social support structure for millions of workers coping with trauma, insecurity and economic uncertainty.

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Become Wartime Priorities

One of the central themes of the Lviv meeting was the escalating mental health crisis facing Ukrainian workers after more than two years of war.

Trade union representatives exchanged practical methods for creating psychologically safer workplaces, identifying early signs of emotional distress and providing basic psychosocial support to colleagues affected by trauma, anxiety and burnout.

The prolonged conflict has exposed workers across sectors to extraordinary stressors, including:

• Constant security threats

• Air strikes and infrastructure attacks

• Loss of family members and colleagues

• Displacement and economic instability

• Increased workloads in essential services

• Psychological exhaustion and uncertainty

Participants emphasized that workplace mental health support is becoming increasingly critical as employees struggle to balance professional responsibilities with the emotional toll of war.

Special attention was also given to the growing challenge of reintegrating workers returning from military service into civilian employment and social life.

Trade union leaders discussed the need for tailored support systems for veterans and their families, including psychological assistance, workplace accommodation and social reintegration mechanisms.

Trade Unions Seen as Pillars of Wartime Resilience

The event brought together representatives from Ukraine's two major national labour organizations:

• The Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine (FPU)

• The Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine (KVPU)

Opening the discussions, Petro Tulei, Deputy Head of the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine, and Roman Datsko, Head of the Association of Trade Unions of the Lviv Region, stressed the growing importance of trade unions in helping workplaces continue operating during wartime.

They highlighted how unions have increasingly adapted their traditional roles to provide emergency support, worker protection and crisis response services in an environment marked by constant uncertainty.

Officials noted that maintaining functioning workplaces and labour protections during war is essential not only for economic stability but also for preserving social cohesion and resilience.

Returning Soldiers Face Major Reintegration Challenges

The conference also focused heavily on the challenges confronting soldiers transitioning back into civilian life.

Sofia Cherepanova, Deputy Head of the All Ukrainian Trade Union of Defenders of Ukraine, highlighted the psychological, social and economic difficulties faced by veterans and their families.

Experts say returning service members often encounter:

• Psychological trauma and post-traumatic stress

• Difficulties re-entering civilian workplaces

• Long-term rehabilitation needs

• Financial insecurity

• Social isolation

• Disrupted family relationships

Trade unions discussed how labour organizations can help facilitate smoother reintegration by advocating for supportive workplace policies, access to mental health services and stronger worker protections.

International Cooperation Expands Support for Ukraine's Labour Sector

The event also incorporated international perspectives through cooperation with the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO Norway).

The exchange allowed Ukrainian trade union leaders to compare experiences and explore international models for supporting workers during crises and post-conflict reconstruction.

Participants examined how labour organizations in different countries have addressed:

• Trauma-informed workplace practices

• Worker protection during emergencies

• Occupational safety in high-risk environments

• Social dialogue during crises

• Reconstruction-focused labour policies

The involvement of international partners reflects broader efforts by the ILO and allied labour institutions to help strengthen Ukraine's social and economic resilience amid ongoing war.

Concerns Over Weak Social Dialogue and Worker Representation

Beyond immediate wartime pressures, participants also raised concerns about structural obstacles affecting labour rights and social dialogue in Ukraine.

Trade union representatives highlighted:

• Legal barriers limiting effective social dialogue

• Insufficient engagement of workers' representatives in decision-making

• Challenges in protecting labour rights during wartime

• Risks of weakened worker protections during economic restructuring

Participants warned that without stronger inclusion of trade unions in policymaking, worker protections could be undermined during both the war and future reconstruction efforts.

The discussions emphasized that rebuilding Ukraine's economy will require not only infrastructure investment but also inclusive labour governance capable of ensuring fair working conditions and social protections.

Reconstruction Must Deliver Fair and Inclusive Recovery

ILO officials stressed that trade unions will play a central role in shaping Ukraine's long-term recovery and reconstruction.

"Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction will require enormous effort and international support," said Aida Lindmeier, Director of the ILO Ukraine Country Office.

"Trade unions will have a crucial role in ensuring that this reconstruction is fair, inclusive, and grounded in international labour standards."

She emphasized that reconstruction efforts must focus not only on rebuilding physical infrastructure but also on creating:

• Decent jobs

• Safe workplaces

• Inclusive labour markets

• Strong worker protections

• Broad social participation in recovery

"It must create decent jobs, protect workers' rights, and ensure that the benefits of recovery reach all parts of society," Lindmeier said.

"Strong, representative, and forward-looking trade unions will be essential to achieving this vision."

ILO Expands Broader Resilience Efforts in Ukraine

The initiative forms part of the ILO's broader programme to promote decent work, labour resilience and institutional strengthening in Ukraine during wartime.

Through its Bureau for Workers' Activities (ACTRAV) and the ILO Country Office for Ukraine, the organization has increasingly focused on supporting labour institutions capable of responding to the social consequences of conflict.

Analysts say Ukraine's labour movement may become one of the key actors in shaping how post-war reconstruction balances economic recovery with social justice and worker protection.

As the war continues to reshape every aspect of Ukrainian society, labour experts argue that strengthening trade unions and workplace resilience will remain critical not only for protecting workers today, but also for building a more inclusive and sustainable recovery in the years ahead.