The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has adopted a resolution that marks the first practical step in the reform of the State Labour Service of Ukraine. The document updates the Regulation on the State Labour Service, clarifies its powers, removes overlaps with other public authorities, and lays the groundwork for further regulatory and digital reforms.
The resolution defines which functions should remain within the remit of the State Labour Service as the authority responsible for state supervision and control in the fields of labour and occupational health and safety, and which functions should be removed from its mandate due to duplication, obsolescence, or inconsistency with its core responsibilities.
The decision focuses on three key areas:
– Streamlining powers. Functions that overlap with the responsibilities of other central executive authorities or do not align with the Service’s updated role are being removed from its remit. These include certain matters relating to high-risk facilities, the operation of the natural gas market, oversight of employment service advertising, and the registration of industrial vehicles;
– Optimising administrative procedures. The resolution abolishes or revises responsibilities related to certain expert assessments and technical procedures that should no longer fall within the scope of the reformed State Labour Service. These include assessments relating to the handling of explosive materials, mining safety, state examinations of working conditions, technical inspections and diagnostics of high-risk equipment, and reviews of design documentation, technologies and production facilities;
– Strengthening socially important functions. The State Labour Service is being granted new powers related to monitoring compliance with employment quotas and requirements for persons with disabilities, assessing enterprises for eligibility for benefits and state support, and participating in procedures for compensating employers for the costs of creating accessible and safe working environments.
“Through this first step, the comprehensive reform of the State Labour Service aims to ensure greater transparency, efficiency and a people-centred approach in the work of this inspectorate – for both employers and employees. We are removing duplicate and non-core functions while strengthening those areas where the state must provide high-quality oversight, expertise and protection of labour rights,” said Daria Marchak, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture.
Following the adoption of the resolution, the ministry will prepare amendments to its subordinate regulations necessary for the practical implementation of the State Labour Service’s updated powers. This will align secondary legislation with the new Regulation and ensure the consistent application of the adopted decisions.
A separate pillar of the reform will be the digitalisation of State Labour Service services. This includes the gradual transition of key procedures to digital formats, simplification of interactions with employers and employees, increased transparency and data quality, and more convenient access to labour and occupational safety services.
The overall objective of the reform is to transform the State Labour Service into an institution with a clear mandate, a risk-based approach, strong professional expertise, modern digital services and predictable operating practices that meet the standards of labour inspectorates across the European Union. This model is expected to reduce regulatory uncertainty for businesses, strengthen the protection of labour rights and increase trust in state labour oversight. (Government portal)