Labour reforms take spotlight at Ukraine recovery conference

© ILO

© ILO

ROME (ILO News) – The Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2025) in Rome on 10–11 July 2025 highlighted inclusive labour market reforms and stronger social dialogue as key to rebuilding Ukraine.

The conference, organized by Italy and Ukraine, is the fourth in a series of high-level political events dedicated to Ukraine’s swift recovery and long-term reconstruction since the start of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression.

Speaking at the conference, ILO Deputy Director-General, Celeste Drake said: “Well-designed and inclusive public policies will contribute to further progress on creating quality employment and decent work in Ukraine. Reconstruction and recovery programmes and contracts must uphold labour standards, and social safeguards should apply to all investments – whether public or private.”

A panel discussion, titled Promoting a human-centred reconstruction and recovery through inclusive labour markets, the protection of fair working conditions and sound industrial relations, highlighted the importance for policies to pursue the twin objective of economic recovery and decent employment creation. It also discussed the measures that are required to boost employment of veterans, women, young people, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons and returning refugees.

Speakers stressed the need for better social infrastructure, flexible working hours and safer workplaces. They also identified skills development and recognition of prior learning, including through micro-credentials, as key to increasing productivity, working conditions and labour force participation.

Ukraine’s highly educated workforce, paired with modernized vocational training and digital education, was seen as a strong foundation for recovery, as well as for reaping the benefits and minimizing the risks associated with the ongoing demographic, digital and ecological transitions.

Tripartite agreement signed

Social dialogue emerged as a central theme, described as the “glue” of a functioning labour market. The ILO commended Ukraine’s tripartite engagement in labour law reform and welcomed the inclusive approach taken by the Ministry of Economy in developing key policy initiatives, such as the National Employment Strategy and the Youth Guarantee.

During the conference, Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Yulia Svyrydenko, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on social dialogue reform with representatives of social partners. The agreement outlines a roadmap for collaborative labour code reform, with ILO support.

The ILO and EU also signed a €3.5 million agreement to support Ukraine in aligning its labour legislation and social dialogue systems with international labour standards and the EU acquis. The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine participated in the signing ceremony, which was followed by a joint meeting between EU Ambassador Katarína Mathernová, Deputy Minister Tetyana Berezhna, and the ILO Country Director in Ukraine Aida Lindmeier to discuss Ukraine’s labour market priorities and reform needs.