Parliamentary hearings entitled “Participation of youth in social life: economic activity” were held in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on November 20
21 November 2013, 17:12
The Chairman of the Parliament noted that for the past two decades, there was laid a strong foundation for the state youth policy that aims at implementing potential opportunities, aspirations and constitutional rights of youth. Strong legislative basis has been established and great experience of practical implementation of legislation in the interests of youth has been gained. “However, there were not only achievements on the way of implementing youth policy. A number of acute problems of Ukrainian youth are to be addressed in the nearest time.”
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada stressed that the task of market system development in Ukraine requires formation of the labour market and ensuring high employment level of the most active part of population, especially youth. “It is understandable that the problem of youth employment is of objective nature in the context of unrestricted competition on the labour market,” he said. “Thus, if efficient measures on fighting youth unemployment are not taken, than it can result in demographic crisis and high level of emigration,” he added.
Volodymyr Rybak stressed importance of resolving the problem of women’s youth unemployment for “employers prefer hiring men.”
“As a result of these and other negative factors, for the past two decades youth unemployment level remains three times higher in comparison with employment level of older population. Despite of certain decrease of youth unemployment level during the past year, it still remains higher than in other age groups,” said the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada.
Volodymyr Rybak emphasized that executive authorities of all levels, bodies of local self-government, people’s deputies and NGOs are well aware of youth employment problems. He said that different youth employment programs; provision with the first work place and involvement of young people in business, etc. were suggested in order to rectify the situation. However, stated Volodymyr Rybak, these efforts are not of systemic and comprehensive nature.
The Chairman of the Parliament reminded that that is why the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych has approved by his Decree of September 27, the Strategy of youth policy development for the period till 2020. This Strategy determines principles, goal and tasks aimed at further securing of proper organizational, socio-economic, as well as political and legal basis for social formation and development of youth.
Volodymyr Rybak said that under the provisions of the Strategy, formation of state order in line with the needs of labour market; establishment of cooperation between employers and educational institutions; conclusion of agreements on employment of graduates are the top priority issues in implementing the youth state policy. “Apart form this, the Strategy stipulates activating participation of youth in socio-political life and promotes integration of Ukrainian youth into the European youth environment,” he added.