Institute of Sociology NASU

Social Protection: problems, threats, challenges

stmm. 2019 (4): 61-89

UDC 316.364.2

DOI https://doi.org/10.15407/sociology2019.04.061

Olena Ivanenko - Candidate of Science in Philosophy, Senior Research Fellow, Department of Economic Sociology at the Institute of Sociology of National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Kyiv.

ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3635-1078

Abstract. The article deals with the state policy of social protection, attempts to improve, optimize and update it, and the impact of these attempts on the financial status and well-being of the Ukrainian population. It is shown what exactly the reformation of the pension system is turning into for the elderly, what problems are being actualized in this regard, and what can it threaten to the next generation of pensioners.

According to the Constitution of Ukraine, our country is a social state, and this implies an orientation towards ensuring social and economic human rights. Social policy plays a dual role. On the one hand, economic growth creates favorable conditions for improving people's lives, and on the other hand, the social policy is a factor of economic growth and regulation of the country's economy. Meanwhile, this article focuses specifically on the social sphere (and not on the economic or political one), the rational regulation of which should be the first priority of state policy.

The analysis of state policy in terms of reform in the field of social protection shows that all reforming attempts undertaken by the state in order to improve this sphere, brought almost no change of the current developments in the country: they did not improve the financial situation of wide segment of the people, in particular pensioners, and did not reduce the degree of impoverishment and poverty. So, according to law, our pension system is three-tier. However, the statements declared in laws are not yet implemented, whereas the current programs are mechanically “modernized”, and it causes nothing in the terms of positive changes. As a result of further delay with the introduction of a three-level pension system, the young generation, which should retire in the near future, will be deprived of guaranteed financial support.Keywords: state policy, social protection, pension provision, pension reform, “modernization”, international financial assistance, Marshall Plan for Ukraine.

Full article: ukr | rus

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