The implementation of labour and social standards of the Council of Europe and the European Union in Ukraine was the main topic of discussion at the two-day roundtable “Ukrainian Legislative Reforms and European Labour and Social Standards: The Context of Ukrainian EU Integration”, which took place on 22-23 May 2025. Based on the results of the discussion, recommendations were developed for the relevant Ukrainian authorities.
The event brought together scientists, lawyers, representatives of state authorities, judges, international institutions and civil society from Ukraine and the European Union.
On the first day of the roundtable, the main attention was focused on the implementation of the standards of the European Social Charter, the practice of the European Court of Human Rights and the EU acquis in the draft Labour Code of Ukraine, in particular the implementation of collective labour rights, video surveillance at the workplace, etc. In addition, the participants of the event got acquainted with the experience of Poland and Latvia in the process of adapting new EU directives in the field of labour rights and non-discrimination.
A dedicated session addressed the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, highlighting its role as a tool for documenting violations of labour and social rights during wartime.
The second day of the roundtable was devoted to discussions on social reforms and the prospects for developing a Social Code of Ukraine. Participants explored the Czech Republic’s experience in implementing EU social standards and transforming its social security system. Key topics included the role of local authorities in enhancing community well-being, mechanisms for providing paid parental leave, the reform of special pensions, and the revision of the subsistence minimum as a key social indicator in Ukraine.
The roundtable was held in a hybrid format at the Faculty of Law of Palacky University Olomouc, in cooperation with the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, with the support of the Council of Europe project “Strengthening the social dimension in Ukraine”.
