ILO and Ukraine launch the Decent Work Country Programme at the Ukraine Recovery Conference

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GDANSK (ILO News) - The International Labour Organization (ILO) and its partners have launched the Decent Work Country Programme for Ukraine 2026-2029 which focuses on expanding access to productive employment and social protection, strengthening resilient enterprises, improving labour market institutions, and promoting social dialogue.

The programme, which was signed during the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference in June 2026 and launched at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 (URC2026) reinforces the ILO's commitment to supporting Ukraine's recovery.

During the conference, Oleksii Sobolev, Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine; Dariia Marchak, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture; Peter van Rooij, ILO Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia; and Aida Lindmeier, Director of the ILO Country Office for Ukraine.

The launch was witnessed by representatives of Ukraine's international partners, including the United Nations, the European Commission, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Government of the Netherlands, underscoring the broad international support for Ukraine's labour market recovery.

Representatives of the ILO and international partners at the launch of the Decent Work Country Programme for Ukraine 2026-2029, Gdańsk, Poland, Ukraine recovery Conference 2026

Speaking at the signing, Oleksii Sobolev underlined the importance of labour law reform for Ukraine's broader labour market transformation.

Updating labour legislation is not a technical reform, but part of a broader transformation of Ukraine's labour market. We need rules that protect workers, provide predictability for businesses and align with European standards,

Oleksii Sobolev, Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture said.

During high-level discussions and bilateral meetings, the ILO emphasized the importance of labour reforms, labour market participation, skills, productivity as well as social protection and social dialogue as drivers of recovery and reconstruction. Speaking at high level discussions and workshops Peter van Rooij highlighted that labour shortages, demographic pressures, displacement and skills mismatches are becoming major constraints to recovery, reconstruction and long-term growth.

Recovery depends on people - and people need prospects and opportunities. When communities provide access to livelihoods, skills, decent jobs and social protection, they create the conditions for people to return, stay and contribute to Ukraine's resilient reconstruction.

Peter van Rooij, ILO Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia said.

Expanding opportunities for women, young people, veterans, internally displaced persons, persons with disabilities and Ukrainians abroad will be essential to addressing labour shortages and supporting Ukraine's long-term recovery and growth.

Through the Decent Work Country Programme and the support of development partners, the ILO is working with its constituents to expand access to productive employment and social protection for all, support resilient enterprises, and strengthen labour market institutions. Jointly with sister agencies in the UN system, the ILO is supporting a more inclusive economic recovery in Ukraine.