13 February 2008, 18:08
The Social Policy and Labour Committee held a Meeting between the People´s Deputies and Members of the Delegation of the Pan-European Regional Council (PERC) within the International Trade Union Confederation, led by PERC Secretary General and the European Trade Union Confederation Secretary General, John Monks, and PERC President, Head of Russia´s Independent Trade Union Federation, Mikhail Shmakov.
The Delegation made a visit to Ukraine to familiarize themselves with the socio-economic situation and current events in the Trade Union movement.
Vasyl Khara, Chairman of the Committee, advised the guests of the legislative work in the social area, including the preparation for deliberation of the revised version of the Labour Code, a Bill on social dialogue, etc. ‘We are striving to overcome our lagging behind European countries in implementing new quality of life standards. We are trying to create a legal framework which could protect employers as much as possible´, stressed V. Khara.
The Chairman invited the guests to share their experiences on the Protection of Rights of workers, and running Trade Union organizations.
Mikhail Shmakov, President of the Pan-European Regional Council, familiarized the People´s Deputies and Trade Union Delegates with the activities of this recently set up organization, and spoke in favour of giving support to all member organizations in Ukraine. He noted that the PERC´s objective is to support an efficient social dialogue, promote social policy, and popularize the European model of development.
John Monks, Secretary General of the European Trade Union Confederation, highlighted the importance of laying a foundation for the free development of trade unions in Ukraine, progressing a social dialogue between all social partnership parties, and establishing a solid Trade Union movement providing for the protection of Human Rights.
The issues of Labour Migration, and the legislative provision of its rights, were also brought up during the meeting. The People´s Deputies and Trade Union Delegates, in their turn, expressed their interest in how the European Union countries intend to cooperate in building socio-labour relations connected with the huge labour migration from Ukraine to EU countries.