Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Ukraine (Ratification: 1968)

Implementation of an active employment policy. Measures taken in response to the crisis in collaboration with the social partners. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in September 2012 and the observations submitted by the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine (KVPU). The Government indicates that during the implementation period of the Basic Lines of the State Employment Policy 2010–11, positive changes have been observed in the labour market in terms of employment and increased economic activity. It reports that the fall in unemployment has been facilitated by the implementation of active employment assistance programmes by the State Employment Service. At the beginning of 2009, there were almost 880,000 unemployed citizens registered with the State Employment Service and this number fell to 500,000 at the beginning of 2012; 763,000 unemployed persons were placed in jobs by the State Employment Service in 2011. The Committee understands that Ukraine had a strong economic recovery following the deep recession resulting from the 2008–09 global crisis. However, economic recovery appears to be slow in 2012. Measures have been taken to create a conducive business environment by simplifying the tax and customs codes. The Government also reports that the Act on the Employment of the Population, adopted in July 2012, includes mechanisms providing for the reduction of social contributions paid by employers when creating new jobs for older workers and other vulnerable categories of workers; free consultations on setting up and running a business; internship programmes offered to students and recent graduates; and education and training programmes. The Committee notes that the Act regulates the operations of commercial entities providing intermediary job placement services in Ukraine and abroad in line with the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181). The Ministry of Social Policy, in conjunction with the relevant central executive authorities and the social partners, has prepared draft Guidelines for the Implementation of the State Employment Policy up to 2014. The primary objectives are to create new highly paid jobs to increase the employment rate and to make it simpler for young specialists to enter the labour market. The Committee notes with interest the National Tripartite Accord on Employment and Jobs, based on the ILO Global Jobs Pact, concluded in June 2012 between representatives of the Government, and employers’ and workers’ representatives. It also notes with interest the third Decent Work Country Programme of Ukraine for the 2012–15 period which continues the cooperation between the ILO and Ukraine to promote decent work as a key to national development. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report information on the effectiveness and sustainability of the measures implemented in the framework of the State Employment Policy up to 2014 and the National Tripartite Accord on Employment and Jobs, in collaboration with the social partners. It also invites the Government to provide information in its next report on how the measures adopted have translated into the generation of productive and lasting employment opportunities for the unemployed and other categories of vulnerable workers.

Coordination of education and training policies with employment policy. The Government reports that it has identified that one of the most important factors in ensuring the provision of productive work and employment is targeted training, retraining and enhancing the qualifications of the workforce. In order to improve and further develop the system of workers’ vocational development, the Act on the vocational development of workers was adopted in January 2012. The Government indicates that there is an observable trend in Ukraine for more vocational training of workers to be carried out as part of an in-house training system. In 2011, the number of workers who enhanced their qualifications at work rose by 3.6 per cent when compared to the previous year. The Committee invites the Government to include an assessment in its next report on the efficiency and relevance of training programmes and other initiatives undertaken in collaboration with the social partners, in promoting the return of unemployed persons to productive employment. In this context, the Committee would appreciate information on the impact of specific mechanisms and measures for improving the quality and labour market relevance of training in lifelong learning perspective, as well as tools for skills analysis and forecasting, especially at the sector level. It further invites the Government to include information on the measures taken to improve coordination of employment and education and training policies with a view to enhancing the employability and competitiveness of the labour force.

Youth employment. The Government indicates that half of all unemployed people who made use of employment services in 2011 were young people under the age of 35. In the first half of 2012, 527,000 people under the age of 35 made use of employment services and, of these, 36 per cent were placed in jobs with assistance from the State Employment Service. The Government reports that the Act on the Employment of the Population provides guarantees of placement in positions specially earmarked for young people looking for their first job. Up to 5 per cent of all positions at enterprises, institutions and organizations are established in this manner. In 2011, 8,000 positions were set aside for young people, and nearly 5,000 young people were placed; 7,700 positions have been designated for young people in 2012. The Committee notes other measures reported by the Government targeting the employment of young people, such as a programme where 3,000 young people were offered unemployment assistance to set up their own businesses in the first half of 2012, and a public works programme which employed 66,700 young people in the first half of 2012. The Committee notes the observations submitted by the KVPU indicating that young and older jobseekers have practically no chance to obtain employment as some job advertisements include an age requirement. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report information on the impact and sustainability of the measures taken to tackle youth unemployment and the other measures implemented to promote the long-term integration of young persons in the labour market.