Description
The project contributed to sustainable forms of social dialogue for all professional groups in the health care sector to facilitate access to employment and decent work for Ukrainian refugees.
The overall objective of the project was to facilitate the integration of medical staff among Ukrainian refugees into the Polish health sector, and a strengthened social dialogue should contribute to this outcome. The project focused both on capacity-building of social partners to take a more active role in the development of active labour market policies (ALMP) in the health sector, but also to strengthen bipartite and tripartite dialogue at regional and national level to agree on a policy framework to facilitate employment of Ukrainian health workers. The project also had a win-win potential of both employing refugees but also fill vacancies in the health sector where understaffing is a problem.
The project promoter finalised a first projectl, which focused primarily on decent work. The secong project focused on refugees'' labour rights and decent working conditions, and built further on the partnership with the Norwegian trade union Fagforbundet.
The project included the following activities:
- Social dialogue and Active labour policy measures, including three consultative meetings of social partners in different Polish cities with participation of healthcare institutions and public authorities.
- Transfer of know-how and training measures for professionals and social partners, including online workshop with social partners from Norway, three online workshops for social partners on decent work, and preparation of a jointly negotiated policy framework
- Communication and raising awareness activities are elaborated in Communication Plan
Summary of project results
The project primarily focused on the integration of Ukrainian refugees into the Polish labour market, particularly within the healthcare sector. The challenges included obtaining recognition of Ukrainian qualifications, providing information about labour rights to avoid violations, and the level of targeted social dialogue at the national level on the integration of refugees. Additionally, there were concerns about unfavourable employment and working conditions for Ukrainian medical staff, and the need for comprehensive cooperation and trust between social partners.
The project piloted sustainable forms of social dialogue for all professional groups in the healthcare sector. It involved developing bipartite and tripartite policy proposals, improving the skills and competencies of social partners and professionals, and raising awareness about the benefits of integrating Ukrainian medical staff into the Polish labour market. Activities included three consultative meetings of social partners in different Polish cities, online workshops with social partners from Norway, and additional online workshops on decent work arrangements. The project also focused on communication and raising awareness through a detailed communication plan.
The project improved social dialogue prospects and trust between social partners through the development of joint policy proposals. It enhanced the skills and competencies of social partners for better involvement in the development of active labour market policies. The project raised awareness among employees, employers, professionals, and decision-makers about the benefits of integrating Ukrainian medical staff into the Polish labour market. The primary beneficiaries were Ukrainian refugees, particularly those with medical qualifications, and the broader Polish healthcare sector, which benefited from the increased workforce and improved working conditions.
Summary of bilateral results
Project partners from Poland set up even stronger bilateral relations in the healthcare sector with partner from Norway. The project promoter highlighted that the working relationship strengthened through this project will contribute to a constructive and sustainable dialogue, and the knowledge exchanged in the project will have a multiplier effect.