Ukraine is taking a decisive step towards modernising its labour market. On 12 December, the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine presented the Employment Strategy of Ukraine until 2030 — the first comprehensive policy framework since independence to introduce a new philosophy of state employment policy. The document has been submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine for consideration.
The primary objective of the Strategy is to overcome the structural imbalance between labour supply and demand and to transform the labour market into a space of opportunity.
“The Strategy is one of Ukraine’s key instruments in the humanitarian domain. It defines Ukraine’s approach to shaping the labour market as an integral part of the European socio-economic space. The document lays the groundwork for adapting labour legislation, occupational safety standards, and the social protection system to the acquis of the European Union. A crucial element of the Strategy is preparation for Ukraine’s integration into European employment cooperation mechanisms,” emphasised Tetiana Berezhna, Vice Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy – Minister of Culture of Ukraine.
A key benchmark for 2030 is to engage at least 2 million people in the labour market, including those currently economically inactive.
“The Employment Strategy 2030 is our response to demographic challenges, labour shortages, and the need to preserve and grow Ukraine’s human capital. We are moving towards a proactive model of public policy: investing in skills and reskilling, modernising labour legislation, and creating digital services and rules that guarantee decent work and fair competition. The Strategy was developed in partnership with employers, civil society organisations, trade unions, international organisations and partners, as well as public authorities. Its implementation will enable at least two million people to enter the labour market by 2030 — a key prerequisite for sustainable recovery and Ukraine’s European integration,” noted Dariia Marchak, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine.
To address the challenges and barriers facing Ukraine’s labour market, the Strategy provides for the implementation of the following strategic objectives:
- Ensuring the timely fulfilment of employers’ labour demand and the digital transformation of the labour market.
- Aligning education and vocational training outcomes with current and forecast labour market needs.
- Ensuring socio-economic inclusion and removing barriers to employment.
- Promoting formal employment and ensuring decent wages.
- Strengthening the institutional capacity of the labour market.
- Harmonising employment and occupational safety systems with the EU acquis in order to integrate Ukraine into the EU labour market.
The Government of Germany supports the implementation of Ukraine’s Employment Strategy as an important step towards integration into the European community.
“The National Employment Strategy 2030 marks an important milestone on Ukraine’s path towards sustainable economic recovery and European integration. It reflects what we call Ukraine’s European DNA — a commitment to fairness, inclusion, and social dialogue in the modern working world. Germany is committed to support this process and proud of our broader cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, helping to ensure that labour-market reforms bring tangible benefits for all citizens,” stressed Maximilian Rusch, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Federal Republic of Germany to Ukraine.
The Employment Strategy is one of the key indicators for the implementation of the Ukraine Facility Plan and Ukraine’s commitments on its path towards integration into the European Union. The document brings Ukrainian policy and regulation closer to European standards in terms of workers’ rights protection, occupational safety, transparent remuneration, and equal opportunities.
During the preparation of the Strategy, nine working group meetings and a strategic session were held, involving more than 600 representatives of public authorities, civil society, business, and international partners.
The next stage is the approval of the Strategy by the Government and the launch of its implementation in line with the Operational Action Plan.
The full text of the Employment Strategy and the Operational Action Plan is available via the link.
The Employment Strategy of Ukraine project is being developed by the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine with support from the German Government through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, and the Better Regulation Delivery Office (BRDO), under the project “REYOIN – Promoting socio-economic integration of returnees, internally displaced persons, and the population of host communities in Ukraine.”