ILO Moscow Director, Olga Koulaeva, presented the ILO framework of policy documents and tools, including COVID-19 Monitor, linking the post crisis management to fundamental principles of decent work and social justice, reiterated by the ILO in its Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work.

ILO Moscow Sr Employment Specialist, Mikhail Pouchkin, focused on crisis’ impact on the Sustainable Development Goals, especially in the context of youth employment, poverty, informality and inequalities, including gender inequality. He emphasized the role of social dialogue in addressing the crisis and supporting sustainable anti-crisis solutions.

ILO expert and keynote speaker, Vice President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP), Maria Glukhova, presented a comprehensive analysis of policies and measures, implemented in the Russian Federation in order to support businesses during the crisis. Ms Glukhova shared interesting insights on good practices related to financial support, taxation, macroeconomic measures, as well as legislative initiatives aimed to soften impact of the crisis on businesses and support job retention.

The presentation was followed by a Q&A session and discussion, where the participants could exchange views and share information on the economic situation in Turkmenistan, challenges faced by the country in the context of pandemic, and measures being implemented. The Turkmen participants highly appreciated support provided by the ILO and other UN agencies in addressing the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The webinar was the first of its kind organized by the ILO during the pandemic in Turkmenistan, and it was agreed to continue this practice.