ILO support to Ukraine recovery

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and its partners join efforts to alleviate the devastating socio-economic effects of the war in Ukraine. In 2022, the ILO launched immediate response to the emerging needs of the Ukrainians forced to leave the country and internally displaced people, by reprogramming its interventions to contribute to the UN-wide humanitarian aid, acting through the networks of the social partners.

For over two years the ILO team has been tirelessly working to support its tripartite constituents in Ukraine in addressing the consequences of the war on workers and their families, businesses and Ukrainian labour market. The ILO has support shifted from emergency response towards medium-term interventions focusing on assistance to increase resilience, contribute to the economic recovery and consolidate the foundations for sustainable development. 

Building upon the ILO’s expertise in post-disaster labour market recovery and in consultations with national tripartite constituents, the ILO developed a Transitional Cooperation Strategy for Ukraine 2024-2025, based on a shared understanding that modern labour law built upon international labour standards, well-functioning labour market institutions and effective social dialogue are the pillars of recovery and development.

This page compiles the latest news and resources related to ILO response in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. 

The impact of the war on income and employment in Ukraine

The Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis, causing large losses of life, massive destruction of infrastructure, and immense human suffering. As of December 2023, more than 5.9 million Ukrainian refugees were recorded across Europe, and 3.7 million* have had to relocate within the country (*registered internally displaced, IOM). 

The ILO estimates that employment in 2022 will be 15.5 per cent (2.4 million jobs) below the 2021, pre-conflict, level. This projection is not as high as the ILO’s estimate in April 2022, soon after the conflict began, that 4.8 million jobs would be lost. The positive change is a consequence of the reduction in the number of areas of Ukraine under occupation or with active hostilities. However, this partial labour market recovery is modest and highly fragile. 

As the conflict drags on, more Ukrainians could lose their jobs and millions could be pushed into poverty, which could offset the country’s development efforts. Further economic recovery may be constrained by the lack of workforce, which has dropped by 10.4 per cent since the beginning of the invasion (ILO, 2024). The country will thus need 8,6 million additional  workers in the coming years to achieve its economic growth targets (ILO, 2023).  

ILO’s immediate response

With support from its long-standing partners in Ukraine, the ILO rapidly re-purposed US$1.3 million of its existing funds to deliver humanitarian aid and income support, which was later topped up to US$2.1 million. These funds have allowed the ILO to provide 7,750 bednights for displaced people in Ukraine, and 3,550 bednights for Ukrainian refugees in Moldova. ILO also rapidly trained 300 Ukrainian labour inspectors on psychological first aid and developed an awareness raising campaign on the risks of human trafficking and labour exploitation targeting refugees, most of whom are women. As of January 2024, this campaign has reached out to 5.3 million displaced Ukrainians. All Moldovan labour inspectors received a refreshment training on human trafficking and forced labour, with a focus on persons fleeing the war in Ukraine. With ILO support, the State Labour Inspection provided 164,000 businesses, including relocated ones with information on conducting business during martial law, and on employment relationships. To date, 300,500 visits were made to the SLI website www.pratsia.in.ua. 

Scaling-up support based on needs

While fighting continues, some areas of Ukraine are starting recovery efforts and others far behind the frontlines continue to work and produce. For this reason, the ILO’s work in Ukraine combines the continued delivery of humanitarian aid with economic stabilisation and job preservation interventions, depending on the security situation and needs in the different regions of the country. 

At the same time, the ILO is stepping-up support to facilitate the protection and socioeconomic inclusion of refugees in neighbouring countries, particularly in Moldova, in coordination with the Government, UN partners, and local civil society.

• Delivery of humanitarian aid, such as shelter and food, for displaced people in Ukraine and Moldova
• Inclusion of internally displaced people and refugees in labour markets and education, including by facilitating the recognition of educational credentials and leveraging e-learning solutions developed during the pandemic
• Prevention of labour exploitation and human trafficking of displaced populations
• Income support through the facilitation of social payments and cash for work programmes
• Economic stabilization measures in relatively safe regions of Ukraine through private sector development, local employment partnerships, entrepreneurship training, and relocation of businesses
• Financial support to trade unions and employers’ organizations for upgrading services to members (business relocation and business matchmaking with aid industry job referral and legal advisory services)
• Continue to support development in Ukraine by working with the Government on priority reforms in selected areas (labour law reform, e-learning solutions).

Last updated June, 2024