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1. Article 3. National policy on workers with family responsibilities. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that a draft state programme on the promotion of gender equality in Ukrainian society for 2006–10 had been prepared which, inter alia, provides for measures aiming at creating equal conditions for men and women to combine work and family responsibilities. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the state programme and information on measures implemented under it with a view to promoting the application of the Convention.

2. Article 4. Terms and conditions of employment and in social security. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that different opinions had been expressed on whether additional social protection for women and mothers would be excessive and harmful for the status of women in a market-based economy. In this regard, the Committee notes that the conceptual approach to gender equality and work and family issues reflected in the Law on ensuring equal rights and equal opportunities of women and men, may indeed call for a reflection on whether certain protective measures are still appropriate. The Committee encourages the Government to promote further social dialogue on these issues, in the light of the provisions and objectives of the Law on ensuring equal rights and equal opportunities of women and men, and to provide information on any developments or outcomes, including any steps taken or envisaged to ensure that measures and entitlements aimed at enabling workers with family responsibilities to reconcile work and family obligations are available to and used by men and women.

3. Article 5. Childcare services and facilities. Recalling its previous comments expressing concern over the deteriorating situation of childcare services and facilities, the Committee notes from the Government’s report that, at present, some 6,700 pre-school institutions are available in rural areas, compared to 8,400 in urban areas. Pre-school education covers 51 per cent of children, an increase of 15 per cent as compared to 2001. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed statistical information on the availability of childcare services and facilities that would allow the Committee to assess the progress made over time in ensuring sufficient coverage.

4. Article 6. Information and education. The Committee notes the various educational programmes concerning gender issues referred to in the Government’s report. The Committee stresses that progress in achieving effective gender equality and equality of workers with family responsibilities will depend on the extent to which social behaviour and attitudes on the roles of men and women in society evolve. The Committee hopes that the Government, in cooperation with social partners, will reinforce its efforts to raise awareness on work and family issues, based on the principle of gender equality, through the provision of information and educational measures. Please provide information on the measures taken in this regard.

5. Article 7. Vocational guidance and training. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide specific information on the measures undertaken in practice to target workers with family responsibilities to enable them to become and remain integrated in the labour force, as well as to re-enter the labour force after an absence due to those responsibilities.

6. Enforcement. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on any judicial or administrative decisions concerning cases or disputes involving the provisions of the Law on ensuring equal rights and equal opportunities of women and men and the Labour Code relating to workers with family responsibilities.