On Wednesday, June 17, the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal met with representatives of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine and the Federation of Employers of Ukraine.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine Ihor Petrashko, Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine Maryna Lazebna, Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Oleh Nemchinov, Chairman of the Federation of Employers of Ukraine Dmytro Oliynyk, Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine Hryhorii Osovyy and other trade unions organizations.

During the meeting, representatives of employers and trade unions stated they value a coordinated ongoing work with the Government and thanked the Prime Minister for the opportunity to participate in the discussion of issues of their concern.

The participants of the meeting discussed the Government's Action Program and the measures that the Cabinet of Ministers plans to implement to support the Ukrainian economy. In particular, representatives of employers proposed to expand the lending program "5-7-9" to companies with export contracts.

Denys Shmyhal, in turn, noted that the Government understands the importance of lending to the economy, hence, the credit programs were launched, in particular, "Available Loans at 5-7-9", loans under state guarantees and more. "In cooperation with the National Bank of Ukraine and state-owned banks, we aim to reduce the cost of credit resources to 10% or less, which will allow us to revive the economy. The Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture is working to include a localization possibility information in the Prozorro system to support Ukrainian producers," the Prime Minister said.

Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions Hryhorii Osovyy, in turn, noted that the Federation has a shared vision with the Government that there is no alternative to social dialogue. "There is a general agreement between the Government, trade unions and employers. We propose to update this agreement," he said.

The participants of the meeting also expressed hope that the Government's Action Program will be approved by the Verkhovna Rada and its measures will be implemented.

Besides, representatives of the Federation of Trade Unions raised the issue of pension reform, in particular, a reform of the secondary level, which provides for the gradual introduction of a cumulative pension system.

Denys Shmyhal, in response, stressed that the reform of the secondary level of pensions in Ukraine should take place. "This reform can start on January 1, 2021, there are already relevant developments," said the Prime Minister, noting that the process of the implementation of the second level of pension reform should be "very careful and gradual so that people believe in these things. We must protect the interests of the people in the first place, and aftermath introduce these mechanisms."