RESEARCH| KYIV Social consequences of European Integration of Ukraine The labour market IRYNA PETROVA May 2014 After signing the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement(DCFTA) with the EU, the Ukrainian labour market will gain new impetus for its development: adapting its labour legislation to EU standards, improving the investment climate, increasing labour productivity and the growth of national labour force competitiveness. However, DCFTA implementation with the EU will significantly challenge the Ukrainian labour market as integrating into a single European Economic Area could mean suffering economic and social losses. Social risks are likely to occur during the adaptation period, especially at its short-term stage. The challenges can be overcome only by taking preventive and proactive measures for labour market regulation aimed at protecting national producers and employees, stimulating their competitiveness, strengthening the role of governmental and non-governmental organisations in securing national priorities and ensuring their compliance with international standards.