Further to the statement by our global body the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the ACTU joins the global union movement in condemning Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine. We condemn the violence and call on Russian forces leave Ukraine immediately.

The attack on Ukraine is a violation of international law, and we urge the Morrison Government to work with other countries to support a peaceful solution to this crisis through diplomacy, to ensure peace, democracy and human rights for the people of the Ukraine and Russia.

Workers, their families and communities are always the first to suffer in war. We stand in solidarity with the trade unions and people of Ukraine. We support ITUC affiliates the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine (FPSU) and Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine (KVPU), which represent almost 5 million workers, and have opened the doors to their buildings to provide humanitarian support and refuge to workers and their families who are in grave danger, having been forced to flee their homes and shelter from bombs.

We encourage you to support the ITUC’s fundraising appeal to support these unions and the people of Ukraine: https://petitions.ituc-csi.org/support-ukraine