Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Nursing Personnel Convention, 1977 (No. 149) - Ukraine (Ratification: 1979)

Articles 2(1) and 5(1) of the Convention. National policy concerning nursing services and nursing personnel. Consultations. In response to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government once again indicates that it is considering amending Ministry of Health Order No. 163 of 24 March 2006, which established the Coordinating Council for the Development of Nursing, with a view to further improving the quality of nursing care in the country. The Committee once again requests that the Government keep the Office informed of developments in relation to the possible amendment of Ministry of Health Order No. 163, and to provide information on consultations held with the social partners, particularly with representative workers’ organizations, such as the Ukrainian Nurses Association, in relation to the formulation of relevant policies, or the establishment of new structures or programmes that might have an impact on the employment and working conditions of nursing personnel.

Application in practice. Part V of the Report Form. The Committee recalls its previous direct request, in which it noted that the Government continued to experience difficulties in relation to the migration of qualified nurses who leave the country primarily due to low salaries and the lack of possibilities for professional development. It had requested the Government to provide information on measures taken to address this issue, as well as to provide available statistics concerning the current situation. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the number of nurses registered as unemployed and the number of nursing vacancies for the period from 2013 to 2017. As of 2017, there were 17,200 nurses registered as unemployed and 22,200 nursing vacancies registered with the State Employment Service (SES), of which 80 per cent were subsequently filled. The Government adds that, as of 1 January 2018, there were 5,200 nurses registered as unemployed, and there were 1,100 nursing vacancies. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated detailed information, disaggregated by age, sex and region, concerning the situation of nursing personnel in the country, including the number of graduates who enter the nursing profession each year, the number of nursing personnel broken down by those working at public and private healthcare establishments, and the number of those who leave the profession each year. The Committee also reiterates its request that the Government provide information concerning measures taken or envisaged with a view to containing or reversing the migration flow of qualified nurses, such as, for example, financial incentives or enhanced career prospects, which are likely to attract persons to the profession and retain them (Article 2 of the Convention).