People’s deputies-members of the Committee, representatives of
specialized state authorities, scientific institutions and NGOs participated in
the hearings. Opening hearings, Committee Chair H.Nemyria stressed that the Committee systemically attaches attention to different aspects of European integration. Thus, in 2013 the Committee held hearings on visa liberalization regime, following the results of which, parliamentary hearings entitled “Visa free regime between Ukraine and the EU: prospects and new opportunities for the citizens of Ukraine” were held on November 6, 2013.
H.Nemyria noted that the issue of labour migration is topical for lots of our compatriots who work abroad. According to 2012 data, there were more Ukrainian labour migrants in the EU than in the Russian Federation.
Ukraine is the only country among the Eastern Partnership countries, where there are more labour migrants in the EU member states than in the Russian Federation.
Deputy Chairman of the Committee O.Pankevych stressed the Euro-integrational context of labour migration.
O.Pankevych emphasised that as of today, almost half of Ukrainian labour migrants resides and works in the EU countries. Labour migrants are the citizens of Ukraine that have successfully adapted to the standards of the EU member states. These are the people that cultivate European standards and values here.
Participants of discussion discussed the prospects of refinement and
submission to the Verkhovna Rada of the draft law “On foreign labour
migration”; ways to establish favorable conditions for reverse migration and
reintegration of labour migrants into the Ukrainian society; the activity of
diplomatic and consular institutions abroad; establishment of mechanisms for
implementation of electoral rights of the citizens of Ukraine that are abroad;
and introduction of the mechanism of temporal care in view of protecting
children of labour migrants. At the end of parliamentary hearings, O.Pankevych thanked everyone who works on settlement of migrants’ problems, especially NGOs of Ukrainian labour migrants abroad and called on all those present to active and fruitful dialogue, the results of which shall be reflected in the recommendations of parliamentary hearings.
He expressed hope that the problems of labour migrants and ways to solve them will be discussed in the future and the result will give an impetus for the development of qualitative bills in this sphere.