THE IMPACT OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION ON UKRAINE'S SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM: THE FINANCIAL COMPONENT

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.sidebar##

Published: Dec 29, 2023

  Liudmyla Kozarezenko

Abstract

This article examines the impact of European integration on Ukraine's social protection system, focusing on its financial capacity to provide adequate support to its citizens. It analyses the financing of social protection components in Ukraine. This included articles on rehabilitation and recreation of children with special needs, social protection of persons with disabilities, families and children, support for low-income families, provision of benefits and housing subsidies to citizens, and financial assistance to citizens in difficult circumstances. The study also addressed the issues of financial support for pension payments, bonuses and increases to pensions under pension programmes, as well as the shortfall in the Pension Fund of Ukraine. The paper analyses the role of international donors in financing social expenditures in the second year of the full-scale invasion. Additionally, the study concludes with proposals for reforming the social protection system in Ukraine in the context of European integration. Research methodology. The methodology includes the use of comparative analysis, statistical analysis and generalisation to analyse and draw conclusions based on the research data. Purpose of the study. The European Union (EU) is committed to developing highly competitive social market policies aimed at achieving full employment and social progress. Ukraine, as a candidate country for EU membership, is obliged to ensure the implementation and development of legislation, in particular in the area of social protection of its citizens. Thus, the purpose of this study is to summarise the results of changes in the social protection system of Ukraine that have occurred as a result of active integration with Europe. The publication contains conclusions and recommendations on the necessary future changes to implement European norms and standards in the social protection system in Ukraine. Conclusion. The social security system in Ukraine does not meet the criteria and objectives set by the European community. The eligibility requirements for pensions are relatively low in terms of age and pensionable service, while the pensions themselves are also low, putting many pensioners at risk of financial hardship. This issue is particularly relevant for women, who may receive pensions earlier than men, but still struggle to make ends meet. In addition, it is necessary to reform the system of institutional care and upbringing of children, as well as to focus on a strategy for deinstitutionalising children in residential institutions in the context of social protection. It should be noted that Ukraine has not yet begun preparations for the administration and use of the European Social Fund. The development of scientific and practical tools for reforming Ukraine's social protection system in line with European standards is an important step towards Ukraine's membership in the European Union. This work is crucial to ensure gradual and stable progress towards Ukraine's EU membership.

How to Cite

Kozarezenko, L. (2023). THE IMPACT OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION ON UKRAINE’S SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM: THE FINANCIAL COMPONENT. Economics & Education, 8(4), 44-48. https://doi.org/10.30525/2500-946X/2023-4-7
Article views: 71 | PDF Downloads: 88

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.details##

Keywords

European Union, European Commission, European Pillar of Social Rights, European Social Fund Plus, The Social Protection Committee, social policy, social security and inclusion, social inclusion, social services, healthcare

References

Association Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Ukraine, of the other part. The official website of the European Union. E-source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A22014A0529%2801%29

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan. The official website of the European Union. E-source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A52021DC0102

Conditions for membership. European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR). The official website of the European Union. E-source: https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/enlargement-policy/conditions-membership_en

Consolidated version of the Treaty on European Union. The official website of the European Union. E-source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A12012M%2FTXT

Consolidated version of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The official website of the European Union. E-source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:12016E000

Council Recommendation of 8 November 2019 on access to social protection for workers and the self-employed2019/C 387/01. E-source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.C_.2019.387.01.0001.01.ENG&toc=OJ:C:2019:387:TOC

European Pillar of Social Rights. The official website of the European Union. E-source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=LEGISSUM:european_pillar_of_social_rights

Humanitarian situation in Ukraine: response measures of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, overview of the aid provided. The Operational Data Portal. E-source: https://data.unhcr.org/en/documents/details/1015427

Internally displaced persons in Ukraine. The official website of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine. E-source: https://www.msp.gov.ua/timeline/Vnutrishno-peremishcheni-osobi.html

Kabanets, Yu. (2023). Social policy and employment: how ready is Ukraine to join the EU. E-source: https://cedos.org.ua/researches/soczialna-polityka-i-zajnyatist-naskilky-ukrayina-gotova-do-vstupu-v-yes/

Key findings of the 2023 Report on Ukraine. Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine. The official website of the European Union. E-source: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/ukraine

Ministry of Finance of Ukraine: From the beginning of 2023, 408 billion hryvnias were allocated to social payments. The official website of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. E-source: https://www.kmu.gov.ua/news/minfin-z-pochatku-roku-na-sotsvyplaty-bulo-spriamovano-408-mlrd-hryven

Opinion on Ukraine's application for membership of the European Union. European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR). The official website of the European Union. E-source: https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/opinion-ukraines-application-membership-european-union_en

Priorities of the Ukrainian Government. Social Transition. The official website of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. E-source: https://www.kmu.gov.ua/diyalnist/priorytety-uriadu/sotsialnyi-perekhid

Ukraine received 950 million US dollars from Japan as part of the INSPIRE and HOPE projects of the World Bank. The official website of the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine. E-source: https://mof.gov.ua/uk/news/ukraine_received_usd_950_million_from_japan_under_the_world_banks_inspire_and_hope_projects-4352?fbclid=IwAR0CL0krPgiOptqxOT2W24IJEqkJ21Bk8GkMId2tPx77qCoL7Ek0djyIcGY

Updated Ukraine Recovery and Reconstruction Needs Assessment. The official website of the World Bank. E-source: https://www.worldbank.org/uk/news/press-release/2023/03/23/updated-ukraine-recovery-and-reconstruction-needs-assessment