Declared work is good for both workers and employers — Michel Bodnar and Bohdana Surudzhiy
Michel Bodnar and Bohdana Surudzhiy study for a master's degree in marketing at the National University of Chernivtsi. Their series of posters about the benefits of declared work in 2021 won 2nd place in the "Go to light — declare work!" category, supported by the ILO Project funded by the EU. We asked Michel and Bohdana what they meant to say with their works.
Our works are about the advantages and importance of formal employment, because it means confidence in the future and guarantees workers' social and labour rights.
We took the information from the materials provided by the ILO Project. And while we had an idea about that problem earlier, the contest further improved our knowledge on that issue.
For us as students, that subject is quite acute, especially in marketing, where a great deal of work is undeclared. We have found jobs and have seen for ourselves how difficult it is to get employed while studying and after graduation, especially in small towns.
While Kyiv may have big employers that offer formal employment, a social package and various benefits, many employers do not provide any of those, especially to students. But we do not give up.
You need to start with yourself
It is necessary to realise that it is not only the government that has to do something for us. We must improve society and the country by our own decisions and actions. And declared work is an essential step that everyone must take: the workers when they get employed, and even more — employers that hire workers.
Sometimes we do not mind undeclared work ourselves. Although, we should not tolerate it. The first thing that can be done is to inform both workers and employers about the benefits that both parties may gain when they declare work.
Employers may not be aware that it may also be beneficial to them, only considering the financial aspects — thus failing to realise that their workers can bring a lot more benefits for them and their projects if they are employed formally.
We thank the curator of our project Vardan Vardevanian, who helps us and encourages us to participate in festivals.
