UNP and NGO “Centre for Social Security and Regional Initiatives” (UNP WG5 members) held a roundtable discussion on social dialogue, the idea of which was developed in post-war European countries. Over time, this idea has evolved into negotiation practices that shape successful socio-economic policies of the European Union member states.
The roundtable was held live in Kharkiv, as live communication cannot be overestimated.
Speakers:
- Oleksandr Chumak, President of the Association of Private Employers.
- Valerii Repin, Chairman of the Kharkiv Regional Trade Union of Entrepreneurs,
Moderator: Ihor Dubrovskyi, Chairman of NGO “Centre for Social Security and Regional Initiatives”.
The event was attended by representatives of trade unions, NGOs, civil society initiatives and experts in the field of regulatory support of social and labour relations (the list of those registered at the event is attached).
The following issues were discussed by the speakers and participants:
Involvement of civil society organisations in social dialogue, their place in the system of social dialogue in Ukraine, including the search for answers to the following questions:
A) Is social dialogue in the “3+” format typical for Ukraine?
B) Is it possible and necessary to change it in this direction, involving civil society institutions in various types of dialogue?
Compliance of the social dialogue formats to the requirements of the times and the need to review the procedure for representation of the parties to the social dialogue, especially at the regional level;
Adjustment of the regulatory framework for the social dialogue system in Ukraine.
The roundtable participants identified the following:
- Inconsistency of the current legislation with the realities that began to emerge under the influence of time, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine since 2014, and the administrative reform.
- Lack of effective mechanisms for engaging the parties to social dialogue.
- Lack of representatives of civil society organisations in the social dialogue process.
- Lack of a procedure for forming representatives of the parties to social dialogue.
In 2023, changes to the legislation on the social dialogue process began to take place, and relevant groups were created, but this process is not carried out centrally, consultations were not held, and proposals for changes are not distributed. Thus, changes are being prepared behind closed doors.
As a result of the discussion, the roundtable participants arrived to the conclusion on the need to:
- Create a register of existing (according to the Law “On Social Dialogue in Ukraine”) and potential participants at the National and Regional levels;
- Involve civil society organisations in social dialogue;
- Initiate the creation of regional working groups on adjusting the regulatory framework of the social dialogue system in Ukraine;
Develop programmes to improve and systematise the procedure for social dialogue, primarily at the level of territorial communities.
However, the following issues, as noted by the participants, require careful preparation, which involves systematic work on:
First, establishing the status of civil society organisations as potential participants in social dialogue.
Second, formulation of criteria of their responsibility as a party to the consultative and negotiating process.
Third, identifying the actors in this process.
In the opinion of the roundtable participants, this activity should be discussed in a series of discussions. Thus, the decision of the roundtable “Social Dialogue. Format “3+” – Pros and Cons” is to initiate a series of discussions on social dialogue formats. The purpose of the discussions is to develop a consolidated position on changes in the formats of social dialogue in Ukraine.
Information provided by Ihor Dubrovskyi, Chairman of NGO “Centre for Social Security and Regional Initiatives” (UNP WG5)
The event is implemented within the framework of the project “Support to the activities of the UNP EaP CSF in 2021-2023”, funded by the European Union and implemented by the Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting.
