European Economic
and Social Committee
Humanitarian Aid much Needed by the Ukrainian People
This article was sent by Daiva Kvedaraitė, member of the Workers' Group of the EESC.
The decision was taken during the Board meeting of the Lithuanian Trade union Solidarumas to launch (together with the Lithuanian Civil Defence Assistance Fund) a humanitarian aid campaign, aimed to help the Ukrainians who suffered in the aftermath of the war. The humanitarian aid will be provided in cooperation with the Free Trade Unions Confederation of Ukraine, the delegation of which, headed by Mr.Mykhailo Volynets, President of the Confederation, visited Lithuanian on September 22-23 and the National Platform of Ukraine.
Pursuant to the Resolution of the Lithuanian Trade Union Solidarumas Board, a special account is opened to raise funds (LT644010042400670369 , DNB bank). The money collected is intended to be used for the procurement of medication and sleeping bags as well as for warm clothes. Furthermore, Solidarumas will make proper arrangements to accommodate the children of the Ukrainian trade union members, who were most affected by the ongoing military action in the country. The children will be provided rest and rehabilitation in the Solidarumas holiday home in the sea-resort of Palanga this December.
Due to the military hostilities in Ukraine, the situation in the country is grave. About 80 percent of mines have been closed down; the functioning of budgetary institutions, hospitals, and educational establishments has been disrupted. A significant number of these institutions have been destroyed. According to official statistical data, 426, 1 thousand unemployed persons were registered in Ukraine in September of 2014, including 23, 8 thousand in the Region of Donetsk and 30 thousand in the Lugansk region. It has to be stated, though, that these are official statistical data. Unofficially, it is believed that more than 350 thousand persons from the Donetsk region have lost their jobs.
The payment of salaries and wages is delayed. The amount in arrears of pay has reached 1 424, 405 billion hryvnia. Thus, in the region of Donetsk, the indebtedness of wages and salaries has exceeded 310,523 million hryvnia, whereas in Lugansk the debt is about 243,025 million hryvnia.
Furthermore, due to military hostilities the payment of social benefits has also been disrupted. The state is indebted to pensioners; the payment of unemployment and social benefits has also been delayed. Since September 23, 2014, the payment of all social benefits has been terminated; the salaries to the employees of budgetary institutions will not be paid.
More than 270 thousand persons have been deprived of their place of residence. About 270 thousand children in the regions of Donetsk and Lugansk cannot attend school. According to official statistical data, 40 children were killed during the military offensive.
We call upon all those willing to contribute towards this noble campaign, please, contact us:
Lithuanian Trade Union Solidarumas
K.Kalinausko str. 2b/4,
Vilnius
Lithuania
Phone: 370-5- 2621743
Mob. phone: 370 686 17409,
Mob. Phone: 370 686 17389
Sincerely,
Kristina Krupaviciene
President
Lithuanian Trade Union Solidarumas