ILO`s response to crisis in Ukraine

The Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine is causing economic disruptions, as well as widespread internal displacement and refugees, flows, leading to large-scale employment and income losses. Preliminary assessments indicate that national income will drop drastically this year – between 35 and 45 per cent.

According to ILO estimates, 30 per cent of all jobs (or approximately 4.8 million) have been lost since the outbreak of the war. As the conflict drags on, more Ukrainians could lose their jobs and millions could be pushed into poverty, offsetting years of development efforts. ILO provides help for Ukraine from the start of the war.

With the support of its partners, funding have been repurposed for three main areas in Ukraine and Moldova: Trade unions and employers provide shelter and food packages for refugees; the ILO devised a campaign to prevent human trafficking and forced labour among refugees; and finally, the ILO trained 300 labour inspectors on psychosocial first aid at the workplace.

In the forthcoming months, the ILO proposes emergency assistance in five areas:

1) continuation of humanitarian aid where the ILO can provide value added,

2) integration of refugees and Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in the labour market,

3) income support,

4) economic stabilization measures behind the frontlines,

5) support for priority reforms of the Ukrainian Government  i.e. labour law reform, and 6) support to trade unions and employers' organizations.
 

For further detail on the ILO support to Ukraine, click here.

Markus Pilgrim, Director of the ILO Office for Central and Eastern Europe explains the impact of the war against Ukraine on the country's labour market, how the ILO has supported the country, and talks about the support needed in the forthcoming months.