New approaches in the policy of poverty alleviation in Ukraine were discussed during the workshop in the Committee on Social Policy and Labour
14 January 2014, 17:38
Opening the workshop, the First Deputy Chairman of the Committee Yaroslav Sukhyi noted that Ukraine has started combating poverty right after it gained independence. Poverty alleviation strategy that aims at decreasing the number of poor people and preventing chronic poverty was approved in 2001.
“As yet, poverty wins in the fight against poverty – 60-70% of citizens deem themselves to be poor. The figures that we possess testify that our pension provision in full corresponds to the standards of the International Labour Organization, i.e. 45% of salary. However, as we all can see such a pension does not correspond to modern realia. According to the level of absolute poverty, Ukraine is on a level with France – 60%. However, how do the French people feel them and how Ukrainians do? If we are aware of the fact that we need fruitful, systemic and comprehensive approach to poverty alleviation then we will get things moving,” stressed Ya.Sukhyi.
Deputy Minister on Social Policy Viacheslav Kolomiiets noted that the problem of poverty combating is topical for the society. According to him, settlement of this problem is the top priority in implementing reforms in Ukraine.
V.Kolomiiets noted that poverty assessment criteria were determined by the State target programme on combating and preventing poverty for the period until 2015. He stressed that due to the accomplishment of some of the tasks determined in the Programme certain positive tendencies in poverty alleviation can be observed.
V.Kolomiiets outlined several causes of poverty: deceleration of economic growth; low level of income in rural area; lack of employment possibility, etc.
Deputy Minister noted that government constantly takes measures aimed at improving living standards.
V.Kolomiiets said that the 2014 socio-economic policy of the government will be directed at further refinement of living standards of Ukrainians and at decreasing poverty level.
Chairman of the subcommittee on social protection and social guarantees, living standards and savings return to population Ruslan Zelyk stressed that the problem of poverty combating should be under constant control of all bodies of power.
He attached attention to the bill on amendments to the Law “On State Social Standards and State Social Guarantees” (re specifying terminology of the Law), registered under No. 3849. R.Zelyk noted that the bill, referred by the Cabinet of Ministers, suggests introduce the term “state standard of services”.
According to R.Zelyk, “in case this bill is adopted, the whole constitutional determination of the notion of “minimum subsistence level” and other social standards shall be eliminated.”
In their speeches, participants of the workshop drew attention to
different aspects of poverty, particularly, to the state of pension provision
and to the fact that the amount of certain social allowances is lower than the
amount of minimum subsistence level, etc. They stressed also the low level of
quality and accessibility of medical assistance. Following the results of discussion, participants of the workshop made several proposals in regard to the necessity of consideration and adoption of several bills by the Verkhovna Rada. Particularly:
on the national mandatory state social medical insurance in line with the requirements of the Fundamentals of Ukrainian legislation on mandatory state social insurance;
on approval of the National programme on social housing development;
on elaboration of the National concept of education quality monitoring, etc.
Participants of the workshop suggested the Committee on Social Policy
and Labour to refer recommendations of the workshop to the Cabinet of
Ministers, central bodies of executive power, the Social Insurance Fund against
accidents at work and occupational diseases and scientific institutions.