[EXPROPRIATION OF KYIV’S TRADE UNION HOUSE] Background and news

On the history of the protection of trade union property by the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine (FPU)

Published: June 17, 2025

Source: FPU news briefs (edited machine translation)

After reading this material in 1.5–2 minutes, you will be able to familiarise yourself with a true and concise account of the history of the trade union property issue.

All recent events surrounding the Trade Union House are a consequence of the seizure of property belonging to the joint-stock companies Ukrprofzdravnitsa and Ukrprofur, which were established with the participation of the FPU as part of a pre-trial investigation. They relate to allegations of alleged illegal seizure of state-owned sanatoriums, resorts and tourist facilities that were transferred to trade unions back in the 1960s.

Property issues must be resolved exclusively in accordance with the law. However, in more than 30 years of Ukraine's independence, the legal status of property transferred to trade unions has not been regulated by law. At the same time, in the 1990s, the state registered the right of collective ownership of this property with the trade unions and issued the relevant certificates.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), in two judgments (Fund ‘Parental Care v. Ukraine’ and Federation of Trade Union Organisations of Chernihiv Region v. Ukraine), found that Ukraine still lacks a law recognising the legal status of the property of all-Union public organisations. State interference in the peaceful possession of this property by trade unions was also noted.

The ECHR's position once again emphasises the need to comply with Article 41 of the Constitution of Ukraine: compulsory expropriation of private property is possible only on grounds of public necessity, in accordance with the procedure established by law and subject to prior and full compensation for its value.

The Trade Union House in Kyiv was built in 1980 with funds from trade union members to ensure the statutory activities of the central trade union bodies. In November 1998, the FPU registered collective ownership of this administrative building, and this certificate has not been challenged or revoked by anyone.

The FPU uses the building to carry out its statutory activities, to house its staff, member organisations, the Museum of the Revolution of Dignity and human rights organisations.

On the night of 19 February 2014, a fire broke out in the Trade Union House. Due to significant damage, the FPU renovated the building in 2015–2018 with funds from investors, without state participation or budget financing.

However, on 20 August 2019, the Main Investigation Department of the State Bureau of Investigation opened criminal proceedings No. 62019100000001170, within which a pre-trial investigation was launched on the grounds of offences under a number of articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

As part of the investigation, the Trade Union House was recognised as material evidence, seized and transferred to the ARMA, despite the fact that it had never belonged to the state. The right of ownership is registered with the FPU, and the right of economic management is registered with the FPU Economic Management Enterprise.

In 2024, ARMA announced a competition to select a manager and, on the basis of a ruling by the Pechersky District Court of Kyiv dated 3 April 2023, transferred the Trade Union House to the CONSORTIUM ‘UK ’KAMparitet", concluding the relevant agreement on 21 April 2025. At the same time, the property did not meet the criteria for transfer to management, as it is subject to economic management rights.

There are also grounds to believe that the CONSORTIUM ‘UK ’KAMparitet" provided inaccurate information about its experience in managing buildings — instead of administrative buildings, the documents indicate the lease of warehouse premises. As a result, the FPU appealed to the State Audit Service with a request to check the purchase.

On 13 May 2025, representatives of ARMA, together with the police and the KAMPARITET CONSORTIUM, inspected the Trade Union House and signed an acceptance and transfer act.

On 23 May 2025, the FPU received a court ruling dated 21 May 2025 cancelling the seizure and transfer of property to ARMA. In accordance with the Civil Code, the management agreement is terminated upon cancellation of the seizure. Thus, as of 21 May 2025, the agreement between ARMA and the CONSORTIUM should have ceased to be in force.

Despite this, on 5 June 2025, representatives of ARMA and the CONSORTIUM again entered the Trade Union House, citing the Pechersk District Court ruling of 3 June 2025 on a new seizure.

These actions were accompanied by psychological pressure on employees and tenants, video recording, and restrictions on access to the building and the adjacent territory, which was not subject to seizure.

The FPU considers the actions of ARMA and the KAMparitet Consortium to be illegal and constituting criminal offences under Articles 170, 341 and 356 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

On 06.06.2025, FPU employees were not allowed to enter their workplaces, and the adjacent territory was blocked without any legal grounds.

In this regard, we request that you respond appropriately to the unlawful actions of ARMA and the KAMPARITET CONSORTIUM officials and take all necessary measures to ensure unhindered access of FPU employees and its member organisations to their workplaces.

The FPU has already appealed to the International Trade Union Confederation, the European Trade Union Confederation and the Director-General of the International Labour Organisation on this matter. In turn, the ETUC has appealed to the European Commission.