GATINEAU, QC, Nov. 3, 2016 /CNW/ - As the Minister of Labour, the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk met with Mr. Andriy Reva, Ukrainian Minister of Social Policy, this week, where they agreed to deepen collaboration between the two countries on jobs and safety in the context of the progressive labour chapter in the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA). The mission reinforces Canada's steadfast support for Ukraine.
Minister Mihychuk also sat down with a United Nations agency, the International Labour Organization, to develop a workplan on a tripartite project for training to create safer working conditions in Ukraine's extractive sector.
The meetings took place during Minister Mihychuk's first official mission to Ukraine, which follows the recent signing of the CUFTA in July 2016.
Minister Mihychuk started her mission with a visit to the Sosnivskyi Granite Quarry. Canada and Ukraine are both endowed with bountiful natural resources representing high economic potential in the extractive sector. Given Canadian industry's strong safety record and common vision for zero fatalities, the Minister was pleased to share best practices.
Minister Mihychuk then convened a roundtable on labour challenges and opportunities, hearing from academics, non-governmental organizations and regional and international organizations.
She held a working meeting with members of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, exploring ways for ordinary Canadians back home to play a part in the economic reconstruction of Ukraine.
Minister Mihychuk also toured the Chornobyl reactor site and observed how Canada's new $3.6 million investment in containment and safe storage of radioactive materials is helping Ukrainians deal with the ongoing consequences of the 1986 disaster, and the remarkable regeneration of the ecosystem.
To conclude her mission to Ukraine, Minister Mihychuk met with the Ukrainian Minister of Health, Dr. Ulana Suprun, on advancement of occupational health and safety standards.
Minister Mihychuk laid a pot of grain at Holodomor and reaffirmed Canada's unwavering support for Ukraine.
The Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement is a major milestone in the relationship between Canada and Ukraine that will grow our economy, create jobs and help the middle class and those working hard to join it.
Quote
"As a proud Ukrainian-Canadian and as Labour Minister, I am very pleased to be strengthening ties with Ukraine, and helping to create better, safer jobs for Ukrainian workers, particularly in the mineral extractive sector. This mission has helped us both move forward to meet our shared labour commitments under the new Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement, our first progressive trade agreement."
– The Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
Quick Facts
- The Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement was signed in Kyiv on July 11, 2016.
- The Labour Program negotiates and implements trade-related labour agreements to address the labour dimensions of economic integration.
- The objective of these labour agreements is to improve working conditions in partner countries, and to promote respect for internationally recognized labour rights and principles.
- Trade-related labour agreements also help Canadian businesses and workers compete in the global marketplace. Under these agreements, participating countries commit to uphold fundamental labour rights and principles, effectively enforce their own labour legislation and cooperate on labour matters.
Associated Links
Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement
International Relations – Labour Program
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
Carlene Variyan, Director of Communications, Office of the Hon. MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, [email protected], 819-654-5611; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]
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