The Russian Ministry of Health and Social Development and the International Labor Organization discuss issues of bilateral cooperation for the period from 2010 to 2012

Deputy Minister of Health and Social Development Alexander Safonov held a tripartite meeting with representatives from the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia, the Labor Confederation of Russia, the All-Russia Labor Confederation, and the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, which discussed the Draft Program of cooperation between the Russian Federation and the International Labor Organization for the period from 2010 to 2012.

The meeting was also attended by representatives from the ILO Sub-regional Office in Moscow.

The Draft Program was prepared by the Ministry of Health and Social Development jointly with national associations of trade unions and employers.

The main objective of the Program consists in the promotion of further development of social and labor relationships in the Russian Federation towards decent achievements in such fields as spread of employment, social protection, labor remuneration and protection, international labor standards, fundamental principles and rights in labor and social dialogue.

According to Safonov, the Draft Program of cooperation between the Russian Federation and the ILO for the period from 2010 to 2012 represents the continuation of preceding programs and reflects the main priorities of cooperation between the Russian Federation and the International Labor Organization in the social and labor area.

Summarizing the results of the meeting, the parties of social partnership as represented by associations of trade unions and employers as well as representatives from the ILO Office supported the Draft Program.

It is planned that the Program will be signed on the sidelines of the 307^th session of the Administrative Council of the International Labor Organization to be held in Geneva (Switzerland) from March 22 to 26, 2010.

Upon the approval of the Program, it is planned to create a tripartite working group for monitoring and evaluation of its implementation.