People’s deputies of Ukraine, representatives of central authorities, NGOs, All-Ukrainian trade unions and their associations, employees’ associations and scientific institutions participated in the event.
Reporting on behalf of the Committee, the Chairman of the subcommittee on social protection, social guarantees, living standards and return of savings to population reminded that the amount of minimum subsistence level is calculated on the basis of set of food products and nonfood goods and services.
According to the people’s deputy, the structure of set of goods is outdated.
R.Zelyk noted that the Committee on Social Policy and Labour has repeatedly recommended the Cabinet of Ministers approve new sets. The respective draft resolutions were upheld by the ministries, but not approved by the government.
The rapporteur drew attention to the fact that for the last several years the amount of minimum salary has reached the amount of minimum subsistence level.
Chairman of the subcommittee focused attention on one more acute problem connected with minimum subsistence level, which is refinement of a method used for calculating total income of a family for all types of state assistance.
According to him, “it is high time to change approaches to the method of calculating minimum subsistence level and its application in general”.
The Chairman of the subcommittee suggested approve new set of food and nonfood goods and services that would meet time requirements and be in line with applicable legislation (the Law “On Subsistence Level”).
Workshop participants noted that “efficient system of social standards and guarantees should be applied in order to ensure efficient implementation of state social policy”.
They noted also that fulfillment of tasks pertaining to social sphere is possible only if all participants of legal relations in this sphere adhere to the rights and fulfill their obligations.
It was noted that despite the measures taken, which aimed at strengthening social protection of citizens, the amount of certain payments remains lower than minimum subsistence level.
Participants of the workshop drew attention to a number of problems existing in the system of social standards and guarantees connected with the figure of minimum subsistence level.
Following the results of discussion, participants of the workshop referred respective recommendations to the Cabinet of Ministers regarding the necessity of elaboration and submission of a number of bills re excluding the figure of “level of minimum subsistence level” as non-corresponding to the Constitution of Ukraine.
The Committee on Social Policy and Labour was recommended to promote acceleration of bills aimed at refinement of legal basis of formation and application of state social standards in line with European and international norms; initiate parliamentary hearings in the Verkhovna Rada entitled “Ukraine on the way to European social standards”, etc.