Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Nursing Personnel Convention, 1977 (No. 149) - Ukraine (Ratification: 1979)

Articles 2(1) and 5(1) of the Convention. National policy concerning nursing services and nursing personnel. Further to its previous comment, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that it is considering amending the Ministry of Health Order No. 24 March 2006, which set up the Coordinating Council for the Development of Nursing with a view to further improving the quality of nursing care in the country. The Committee requests the Government to keep the Office informed of any further developments in this regard, and to specify whether representative workers’ organizations such as the Ukrainian Nurses Association were effectively consulted in the formulation of any new policy, or the setting up of new structures or programmes which might impact on the employment and working conditions of nursing personnel.

In addition, the Committee understands that the Government continues to experience difficulties regarding the migration of qualified nurses who leave the country mainly due to low salaries and the lack of possibilities for professional development. Ukraine is often listed among the top five countries in nurse migration, the most preferred destinations being Germany, Israel, Italy and Canada. The Committee requests the Government to provide in its next report up-to-date information, including all available statistics, concerning the current situation and any measures (for instance, financial incentives) to contain or reverse the migration flow of health professionals.