From Restrictions to Safety: CIS Countries Shift Approach to Protection of Women’s Labour

On 29 April, a round table entitled “Occupational Safety of Women” was held to mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work.

Participants discussed a wide range of issues related to the protection of women’s labour, including innovations and current approaches to regulating women’s employment across various sectors of economic activity, taking into account national specificities in the countries of the Commonwealth.

The round table addressed the importance of legally regulating the protection of women at work, given that nearly half of the workforce in CIS countries comprises women in need of special state protection. This is further supported by the evolving role of women in society and the labour market.

Secretary of the IPA CIS Permanent Commission on Social Policy and Human Rights, Executive Secretary of the IPA CIS Expert Advisory Board on Public Health Evgenia Vladimirova noted that the countries of the Commonwealth are transitioning from restrictive measures to a system that not only imposes prohibitions but also proactively manages risks and specifically protects women’s reproductive health.

This transition is based on documents adopted by the Assembly, including model laws on labour safety and reproductive health.

Evgenia Vladimirova stressed the need to continue systematic work on improving the prevention of occupational diseases, as women’s health is the foundation of the health of future generations. At the same time, she noted that there is currently no fully harmonized statistical data across all CIS countries, which complicates comprehensive analysis of the situation.

The CIS Advisory Board on Labor, Employment and Social Security approved the IPA CIS Recommendations on the development of a model list of types of work, professions and positions where the employment of women is prohibited or restricted, taking into account the types of economic activity in the region. The document is in demand among relevant ministries and agencies when drafting national regulations in the field of occupational safety and contributes to constructive interstate cooperation.

The meeting was attended by representative of the Secretariat of IPA CIS Council to the CIS Executive Committee Viktor Kogut.

The agreed resolution of the round table will be circulated to the countries of the Commonwealth.