News

👤On November 15, 2023, Oleksandr Chervak, Executive Director of CBU, joined the first meeting in the format "DESOCO in Poland. Decentralized Thematic Social Dialogue for the Construction Industry".

The organizers were the Federation of the European Construction Industry (FIEC) and the European Federation of Construction and Woodworking Workers (EFBWW), who signed the Memorandum on the sustainable reconstruction of Ukraine the day before during the RECOVERY CONSTRUCTION FORUM 2.0.

🤝During the meeting, the participants discussed the involvement of European construction companies in the reconstruction of Ukraine, as well as the goals and ways of implementing the signed Memorandum. 

Raymond Maes, a representative of the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPLOYMENT), also joined in the online format. He congratulated his colleagues on signing the Memorandum and noted that DG EMPLOYMENT will contribute to its implementation. In addition, Raymond Maes spoke about close cooperation with the Government of Ukraine and future meetings for even better joint efforts.

👤Oleksandr Chervak, executive director of CBU, commented on the issue of asbestos use in construction. In Ukraine, the use of such construction material has been prohibited for several years. However, at the same time, Ukraine was confronted with pollution of a toxic nature, as a result of shelling and explosions of dangerous poisonous substances, which are components of many missile carriers (missiles).

Therefore, one of the challenges and problems that currently exist in Ukraine is the correct disposal or processing of such toxic construction waste. Currently, the destroyed objects are being dismantled, and the remains are being accumulated, but they are not being processed yet.

🏗️Regarding labor resources. In Ukraine, there is a labor shortage in the field of construction. It is known that such a shortage was observed even before the war, because many Ukrainian construction workers worked abroad, for example in Poland or Germany. And after the full-scale military invasion of the russian federation on the territory of Ukraine, the loss of labor potential is currently estimated at more than 30% (due to the large number of dead, mobilized and those who left the country).

Therefore, the Confederation of Builders of Ukraine (CBU) is preparing certain steps-proposals that should be implemented, taking into account the future volumes of work during large-scale reconstruction. Since, currently, the construction business still covers its needs, although it is difficult, but it covers. However, there is already an understanding that our own capacities, unfortunately, will not be enough. Among the necessary issues that need to be resolved, are the following:

✅Conducting special trainings and increasing educational programs in higher educational institutions.

Today, it is necessary to increase educational programs in educational institutions, in particular, regarding construction and engineering directions and specialties. To train young people in those professions that are already in short supply and will be in great demand in the future.

Today, Ukraine also fulfills and implements many obligations regarding compliance with the norms of the European Union. Relevant laws are adopted quickly, but specialists do not have time to study and learn from experience.

✅Programs for the rehabilitation of people and the return of those who left the country due to the war.

In Ukraine, it is necessary to develop and implement rehabilitation programs for people who have suffered physical and psychological injuries as a result of the war. Such people need to be supported and involved as much as possible in the processes of recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine, including the construction industry. Today, it is worth encouraging people to return to the country, motivating them. For example, create better working conditions etc.

✅Migration policy and involvement in work in Ukraine.

The resources that Ukraine has today will not be enough. It is necessary to develop the conditions for attracting workers from other countries, but taking into account safety issues and many others. After all, it is clear that many Europeans will not want to go to Ukraine to work as construction workers, and therefore a clear strategy of safe migration policy must be developed to attract construction workers from outside.

✅Creation of special ID cards for builders.

Unfortunately, in Ukraine, a large percentage of people worked in construction unofficially. And there is an initiative to create special ID cards for construction workers, which will track the entire experience of one or another specialist - from obtaining a professional education to future career growth and continuous professional development. This would provide social protection for workers, and it would make it easier for businesses to find qualified personnel.

Separately, the participants also discussed the average wages of Ukrainian construction workers, the minefield on the territory of Ukraine and the need for demining.

💬"Ukraine is open to any initiatives and support from European countries. In our country, in view of the ongoing war, decisions are now being made quickly, and in Europe, unfortunately, it takes a long time for everything, in particular, for bureaucratic issues", Oleksandr Chervak summarized.

WE WILL WIN AND BUILD EVERYTHING!💪

TOGETHER TO VICTORY!

GLORY OF UKRAINE!💙💛