© AFP/Europress

The Confederation of Employers of Ukraine represents six sectoral associations of companies that employ more than 2.7 million people. The Confederation is also one of the first employers’ associations from Eastern Europe that became member of the Equal Pay International Coalition led by ILO, UN WOMEN, and OECD. In line with this engagement the Confederation, developed a Code of Practice with ILO support to advise enterprises on management practices that promote workplace equality and comply with national gender and non-discrimination legislation. The Code captures particular areas that are prone to discriminatory treatment such as job advertising and recruitment, training and carrier development, remuneration, termination of employment and work-family balance,. This initiative is particularly important in view of the increasing gender pay gap in Ukraine (which currently stands at 26% compared to 24% in 2014) and the perception of more than 40% of Ukrainian men who believe that a woman should leave her job for family duties.

An ILO Global Survey covering nearly 13,000 enterprises in 70 countries showed that 3 in 5 enterprises globally agree that that gender diversity policies improve business performance. Of those reporting improved business performance, over 60% reported increased profitability and productivity and more than a half reported increased ability to attract and retain talent, greater innovation, enhanced company reputation and brand recognition.
Women in business and management: the business case for change, ILO 2019

“The code of practice is an important starting point in a very long journey towards achieving a real change and making businesses aware of the need to have gender responsive and inclusive management practices. To reap these benefits, today’s business leaders need to make gender diversity a strategic organisational priority.”
Oleksii Miroshnychenko, President of the Confederation of Employers of Ukraine

According to the Code, a gradual incorporation of management practices going beyond a compliance approach with the law will provide significant benefits for enterprises in the longer run. These benefits can be fully achieved only when the company has in place a combination of an inclusive culture and inclusive company policies. Therefore, implementing gender responsive and non-discriminatory management practices is not only the right thing, but also the smart thing to do for business.

“Retaining women is very challenging at times due to childcare obligations, which fall mostly on them rather than on men. We need to learn how to implement better work-life balance practices, while making sure, at the same time, that we achieve our business targets. Adherence to the code of practice will help us achieve the golden mean, namely making Ukrainian women happier and business more successful.”
Tetyana Pechayeva, Deputy President of the BOD and CEO of JSC” LEKHIM Pharmaceutical

The ILO will continue to support the Confederation of Employers of Ukraine to develop training and advisory services for enterprises which are committed to implementing the Code of Practice. In 2022, the Confederation will launch a practical on-line training tool giving step by step guidance for enterprises on the implementation of the Code. Enterprises partaking in the on-line training will benefit from one-on-one coaching.