The meeting was attended by the authors of the draft Labour Code Liudmyla Denisova and Mykhailo Papiyev and representatives of the International Labour Organisation Colin Fenwick, Christina Mihes, Valerie Van Goethem and ILO National Coordinator in Ukraine Sergiy Savchuk.
Committee Chairperson Liudmyla Denisova expressed gratitude for the fact that the International Labour Organisation responded to the request of the Committee and helped in the provision of technical assistance concerning preparation of comments on the draft Labour Code of Ukraine.
According to Liudmyla Denisova, ILO's proposals will help to improve the draft labour Code in compliance with the terms of international law. In particular, she drew attention to the recommendation of the ILO concerning the need to preserve social assistance for workers during long non-payment of wages. Also Liudmyla Denisova said that certain articles, for example the introduction of video camera surveillance, should be more specific. "Together with experts, members of the working group we'll insert this provision for the person to be protected against the penetration into private life," said the Chairperson of the Committee.
Liudmyla Denisova said that among the authors of the project were also MPs, who have been appointed to work in the government, namely Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman and First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine / Minister of Economic Development and Trade Stepan Kubiv. "We hope that this will ensure supporting the draft Labour Code of Ukraine by the new government," she said.
The Committee Chairperson expressed hope for soonest considering ILO's technical recommendations by the working group in charge of finalizing the draft Labour Code, their examining by the Committee and voting in the Parliament.
Liudmyla Denisova said that now the working group continues considering proposals of people's deputies, working on the coordination of positions that would take into account the interests of the State, workers, trade unions and employers.
Colin Fenwick, the Director of the Labor Law and Reform Unit at the ILO's Governance and Tripartism Department expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet the authors of the draft Labour Code, members of the working group and to present ILO’s technical comments to the public.
"We want to understand the positions of all parties, because the draft must comply with not only international documents, but also conditions of the country in which it will be in effect. The law must work for the benefit of employees and employers," said Colin Fenwick.
At the meeting the sides discussed some of ILO’s recommendation on the draft Labour Code, which will be presented today at an extended working meeting.