In Kyiv on 21 October 2025, Ukrainian government, workers, and employers convened to shape the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) next Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for 2026–2029. This tripartite consultation workshop, attended by over fifty participants, focused on prioritizing actions to ensure a fair, inclusive, and sustainable labour market, even amid ongoing challenges of war. The new programme will build on the ILO’s previous support through the Transitional Cooperation Strategy (2024–2025) and three decades of work in Ukraine, including labour reforms, social dialogue strengthening, skills development, decent jobs creation, productive enterprise support, and enhanced social protection systems.
A high-level panel opened the workshop with contributions from ILO officials, UN representatives, and Ukrainian government and labour leaders. Aida Lindmeier, Director of the ILO Office for Ukraine, highlighted the importance of partnership and national ownership, describing the DWCP as a tool to deliver coordinated, impactful results while supporting Ukraine’s recovery and European integration. UN officials emphasized that decent work and social justice must remain central to the country’s rebuilding efforts, ensuring that recovery initiatives uphold fairness, inclusion, and dignity in work.
Tripartite representatives, including government and employer leaders, affirmed their commitment to social dialogue and labour reforms that deliver tangible benefits for workers and enterprises. Deputy Minister Daria Marchak underscored decent work as a core government priority, linking fair employment, adequate wages, and social justice to long-term stability and growth. Specialists from the ILO’s Decent Work Team facilitated discussions that reflected a genuine collective effort to shape a shared vision and strengthen cooperation among Ukraine’s social partners.
Emmanuel Julien, ILO Deputy Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, noted the importance of clearly defining objectives for each tripartite partner while ensuring the DWCP remains coherent, results-oriented, and a focused framework for collaboration. The programme is scheduled for signing in the first quarter of 2026, marking a new chapter in the ILO’s partnership with Ukraine, grounded in shared responsibility, social dialogue, decent work, and social justice as foundations for a resilient recovery.
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