Delegates of the 9th Congress of the International Union Federation of Housing and Communal Services, Local Industry, and Service Sector Workers discussed the fight for fair wages, the role of trade unions in addressing labor shortages, and the development of social partnership. The Congress took place on September 23rd in Moscow, with representatives from trade unions in Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan in attendance.

 The Congress was addressed by Viktor Pinsky, General Secretary of the General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU):

 "Issues of wages, working conditions, and labor shortages in the housing and communal services sector remain pressing across the CIS countries. At the same time, the International Union Federation has achieved significant progress. Thanks to your efforts, a system of social partnership has been established. The presence of strong trade union organizations at enterprises reduces the severity of previously identified challenges. Trade unions systematically engage with young professionals. Understanding the needs of young specialists helps to improve personnel policies and retain talent. It is also important to highlight the development of international cooperation. Discussing new challenges, sharing best practices, and maintaining constant communication among member organizations of the Federation enhances effectiveness at the national level. The state’s attitude towards the housing and communal services sector is also changing. In Russia, the creation of a specialized Ministry of Housing and Communal Services is being discussed. Trade unions still have much work to do. The General Confederation of Trade Unions counts on your support," Pinsky told Congress participants.

 Yakov Vartanyan, General Secretary of the Federation, presented a report on the activities of the Federation’s Council for the period 2020-2025. He highlighted the Federation’s work to increase wages for housing and communal services workers, international campaigns by member organizations, and the Federation’s role in developing social partnership. Vartanyan emphasized the need for consistent action to address the most urgent problems faced by union members, including wages that are low compared to other sectors as well as labor shortages. He also discussed youth policy development, measures to enhance the prestige of various professions and improvements to the social partnership system. Vartanyan noted the impact of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, on certain professions, as well as the emergence of new jobs in housing, communal services, and maintenance.

  Representatives of national trade union centers from Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan delivered informational reports, pointing out common challenges faced by housing and communal services unions across the CIS. Key issues include low wages, labor shortages, imperfect social partnership systems, and an aging workforce.

  Congress participants agreed on the need to change the organization’s name to better reflect the full range of professions and areas covered by the union. The new name is the International Union of Lifeline Workers Trade Unions.
  During the Congress, the Volunteer Chairperson, General Secretary, and Deputy Secretaries of the Federation were elected. Aleksandr Vasilevsky was elected as the Chairperson, and Yakov Vartanyan was re-elected as the General Secretary.