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A memorandum of partnership and cooperation recently approved between the Ukrainian League of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (ULIE) and the National Association of Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) Participants and Volunteers is aimed at involving veterans in civil society, consolidating the efforts of both organizations to help veterans in issues related to employment, small business organization, solving urgent social problems, etc. These issues were tackled at a meeting of the working group of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
"We are determined to seek the adoption by the state of a clear targeted program of support for patriot soldiers and volunteers, the carrying out of systematic work which will be aimed at providing them with adequate social protection, decent work, and if necessary - psychological adaptation. A particular area of cooperation is business support in the regions that are affected by the ATO and those adjacent to them. Unfortunately, we receive many reports that entrepreneurs from the military conflict areas are operating in extremely difficult conditions and we must do everything to make their lives easier. At a meeting of the Anti-Crisis Council of NGOs and the ULIE in Kharkiv last month we thoroughly discussed the details of business support in the ATO regions on the part of authorities and the business community," said Anatoliy Kinakh, the ULIE President.
The working group discussed its priority action plan. Representatives of the National Association of ATO Participants and Volunteers demonstrated their intention to participate in development of the tax reform, the work being currently conducted at the ULIE and the Anti-Crisis Council of NGOs. The scope of their interest is small-sized business, because it is this sector that helps secure jobs and means of living for hundreds of veterans.
It was decided to intensify cooperation with the State Employment Service of Ukraine by organizing an advisory and consultative workshop in Kyiv (and in the regions, if necessary), which will provide information about state benefits and employment issues for combatants and displaced persons.
Kinakh briefed colleagues from the combatant union on the anti-crisis program of joint actions between government and businesses, which the Anti-Crisis Council of NGOs prepared a year ago, and which was supplemented at a meeting in Kharkiv with a section "Supporting pro-Ukrainian business in the ATO zone." According to the ULIE representatives, veterans are able to suggest many useful remarks regarding the program.
"The plan of priority actions will include cooperation with the government and ministries on the preparation and implementation of national and regional programs to support the combatants, volunteers and displaced persons. There is an urgent need to improve the Ukrainian legislation which regulates state policy on social protection and psychological adaptation of combatants. I am confident that our cooperation with the National Association of ATO Participants and Volunteers will prove that their unique experience and knowledge is needed by the Ukrainian society, and their accomplishments for their homeland are a superior moral excellence that should be inherited by future generations," Mr. Kinakh said.