ILO support to Ukraine: Prevention of labour exploitation and human trafficking, support to entrepreneurship development and social partners

The war significantly increased risks of labour exploitation and human trafficking, particularly for internally displaced persons and refugees, while disrupting livelihoods and forcing many businesses to close or relocate. At the same time, employers’ and workers’ organizations faced new challenges in supporting their members as labour market needs changed. The project responded to these shifts by strengthening protection, supporting livelihoods and entrepreneurship, and reinforcing the capacity of social partners.

Implemented by the ILO with government institutions, employers’ and workers’ organizations, civil society and other partners, the project combined technical assistance, capacity-building, awareness-raising and entrepreneurship support. It addressed immediate war-related risks while strengthening labour market actors’ ability to respond to changing needs.

Key project interventions included strengthening measures to prevent labour exploitation and human trafficking; promoting fair recruitment and safe employment through the “Ukraine Works” campaign; expanding the ILO’s Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) methodology to support people starting or rebuilding businesses; and strengthening services, legal support and protection mechanisms provided by employers’ and workers’ organizations.

By combining protection against exploitation, livelihood and entrepreneurship support, and stronger worker and employer representation, the project helped people and businesses adapt to the economic disruption caused by the war while strengthening the capacity and partnerships needed to support workers and enterprises through recovery and reconstruction.