ILO Director-General pledges increased support for Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine (ILO News) – During his visit, 91��Դȫ�� (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo pledged greater support for Ukraine as it grapples with the profound impact of the ongoing war on its people and labour market.

“I am here in Kyiv to reiterate the ILO’s steadfast commitment to standing with the Ukrainian people during this challenging time. Following the opening of the first-ever ILO Country Office in Kyiv earlier this year, we will now step-up efforts to support economic resilience and labour market reforms,” said Houngbo.

© Sergiy Minenko / ILO

The ILO Director-General was accompanied by European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit. Together, they held discussions with Ukrainian government officials, including First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Yulia Svyrydenko; Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Minister of Justice, Olha Stefanishyna; Minister of Social Policy Oksana Zholnovych, and Deputy Head of the Office of the President, Iryna Vereshchuk. These talks focused on the critical role of social dialogue in support of the labour law reform and measures to address challenges confronting Ukraine’s labour market.

“The war has led to significant disruptions in Ukraine’s labour market, causing labour shortages in many sectors, such as construction, transport, steel production, and agriculture. The ILO is collaborating with its tripartite constituents to address these challenges by investing in skills, improving working conditions, enhancing labour market governance, and increased labour force participation of women and war veterans,” Houngbo explained.

© Sergiy Minenko / ILO

The Director-General and the European Commissioner also met with representatives from both employers' and workers' organizations to discuss their vital contributions to Ukraine's reconstruction. They engaged with Dmytro Oliynyk, President of the Federation of Employers of Ukraine; Vasyl Kostrytsia, Deputy Chairperson of the Association of Employer’s Organizations of Ukraine, and Oleksii Miroshnychenko, President of the Confederation of Employers of Ukraine. On the workers' side, they spoke with Mykhailo Volynets, Chairperson of the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine, and Grigorii Osovyi, President of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine.

© Sergiy Minenko / ILO

"Ukraine’s determination to rebuild is commendable. As the country pursues EU membership, it is essential that its new labour laws not only comply with the EU acquis but also adhere to international labour standards. Social dialogue will be key to ensuring a sustainable and effective recovery," said Houngbo.

In a meeting with international development partners in Kyiv, the ILO and EC also stressed the importance of continued global support for Ukraine to guarantee an inclusive and lasting recovery.