The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has teamed up with employers’ body Ibec in a joint fundraising campaign for humanitarian aid for Ukraine. It’s encouraging workers to give one hour’s worth of pay to the appeal, and is urging employers to match it if they do.

Money raised will support the Ukraine humanitarian programmes of the International Red Cross and UNICEF Ireland.

It’s an opportunity for Fórsa members who missed the union’s recent appeal to show practical support for displaced Ukrainians.

Fórsa raised half a million Euro for two organisations providing humanitarian relief to people who’ve been displaced by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. The union’s Ukraine Appeal raised almost €250,000 in donations from Fórsa members and branches. The Fórsa National Executive Committee met on Wednesday and decided to top up the amount from the union’s Developing World Fund to bring the total raised to €500,000.

The proceeds of the Fórsa appeal will be shared equally between the Irish Red Cross and a special trade union solidarity fund jointly established by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). Each of these appeals is currently supporting humanitarian efforts on the ground.

The ICTU-Ibec initiative is being overseen by Mazars Consulting, and the final totals in the account will be transferred to the International Red Cross and UNICEF Ireland to support their humanitarian efforts in and around Ukraine.

Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan, who is also ICTU’s president said Irish people had been inspired by the principled and courageous resistance of the Ukrainian people.

“Congress fully supports their struggle for a just peace, built on respect for democracy, self-determination, and humanity. We have added our voices to calls for strong and united European and global action against Russia for as long as this illegal invasion continues. This initiative is a practical expression of that solidarity, and I urge trade unionists and employers across our island to participate,” he said.

Ibec chief executive Danny McCoy said the joint initiative would send a strong message of support to the people of Ukraine.

“In the past few weeks, we have seen the broad spectrum of Irish businesses extensively engaging with humanitarian organisations to support those impacted by the atrocities taking place in Ukraine and we are encouraging all who can continue to do so to support this deserving cause,” he said.

If you want to participate in the appeal, just make contact with your employer in the first instance, or else contact ICTU at +353 1 8897777.