On 7 May 2026, the forum “Labour Market for the Economy of the Future” was held in Kyiv. The event was organised to discuss the draft Labour Code of Ukraine as a component of labour market reform in the context of European integration and Ukraine’s post-war economic recovery. The goal of the forum was to present the rationale and key approaches behind the proposed updates to labour legislation reflected in the draft Labour Code.
The forum served as a platform for professional dialogue, bringing together Members of Parliament of Ukraine, representatives of state authorities, social partners, experts, and international organizations.
Participants discussed the need to modernize outdated labour legislation in light of the key challenges facing the Ukrainian labour market, including Russia’s war against Ukraine, economic transformation, digitalization, labour shortages, and Ukraine’s integration into the European Union. Particular attention was paid to the need to strike a balance between protecting employee’s rights, ensuring predictable labour market conditions for employers, and complying with international labour standards.
Mr Maciej Janczak, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, stressed that the recent conclusions of the European Committee of Social Rights regarding Ukraine clearly underline the need for comprehensive and balanced labour market reform, to be implemented through a Labour Code based on European standards. “Under the Council of Europe Action Plan we provided support to the development of the draft Labour Code. We acknowledge significant work undertaken by the Government in co-operation with social partners, and encourage all parties to continue the meaningful, constructive work in the Parliament. It is therefore important to ensure that this long journey culminates, in a timely manner, in a tangible result that reflects the efforts invested and contributes to Ukraine’s post-war recovery and advancement towards European Union membership”, he noted.
Participants also emphasized the importance of continuing expert consultations with stakeholders during the preparation of the document for its second reading in Parliament.
The event was organized by the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine in cooperation with the Ukrainian Parliament Committee on Social Policy and Protection of Veterans’ Rights, the Council of Europe within the framework of the project “Strengthening the social dimension in Ukraine”, and the International Labour Organization.
The Council of Europe project “Strengthening the social dimension in Ukraine” aims to ensure that general public and people from vulnerable groups, including war-affected population in Ukraine, benefit from targeted social protection and support.
