Ukraine

Ukraine has been an ILO member state since 1954 and was declared independent in 1991. The ILO Office for Central and Eastern Europe started working with Ukraine from 1996, marking a new period of enhanced collaboration between the ILO and Ukraine. The ILO Governing Body decision to open an ILO Country Office in Kyiv in 2024 represents a new milestone in ILO support to Ukraine.  

To date, Ukraine has ratified 72 ILO Conventions, of which 61 are in force, including nine fundamental and four priority Conventions. The ratification by Ukraine of the ILO Chemicals Convention, 1990 (No. 170) in 2023 marked a strong adherence to international labour standards by the Ukrainian tripartite constituents and their commitment to modernize the legal framework and institutional setup despite the hardships of the ongoing war.  

Despite a partial and fragile labour market recovery, Ukraine is still suffering from the consequences of the war. The Russian Federation’s military aggression against Ukraine continues to cause major losses to life, incomes, employment and livelihoods.  

While the number of refugees returning to Ukraine has slightly increased, almost 6 million people remain spread across Europe. 55 per cent of them were working before the war (ILO, 2024). An estimated 3.7 million people are internally displaced within Ukraine according to UNHCR.   

The ILO developed – in consultations with tripartite constituents – a Transitional Cooperation Strategy for 2024-2025, based on a shared understanding that modern labour law built upon international labour standards, well-functioning labour market institutions and effective social dialogue are the pillars of recovery and development. The strategy is based on investing in people, creating quality employment and sustainable enterprises, and improving labour market governance The current portfolio includes quality employment creation and support to sustainable enterprises, strengthening of social dialogue, promotion of fundamental principles and rights at work and local employment partnerships.  

Email: [email protected]

Phone : +38 067 413 6661

Address
75 Zhylianska Str., PO Box 2
Kyiv
Ukraine
01032

ILO activities in Ukraine are technically supported by the ILO office for Central and Eastern Europe, based in Budapest.