MPs Receive Compensation for Unused Vacation Days
Under a law passed in December 2025, 20 members of Ukraine's parliament received financial compensation in January-February 2026 for unused vacation time accrued over six years. The National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NAZK) registry was updated with dozens of declarations from lawmakers regarding these payments, indicating the new provision is being actively utilized. This development has sparked significant public debate over the appropriateness of such expenditures during wartime.
The legislation, formally titled 'On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding the Inclusion of the Period of Illegal Dismissal of an Employee in the Insurance Period,' allows MPs of the 9th convocation to claim pay for all unused annual leave days accrued since taking their oath of office. As of February 9, 2026, this new rule is in effect. The Ukrainian parliament has operated under a continuous session model since the full-scale invasion began, raising complex questions about leave entitlements.
Leave Regulations and Public Scrutiny
Prior to the war, parliamentary leave was governed by the Law on the Status of the People's Deputy and the Labor Code, granting each MP 30 days of paid annual leave. However, following the full-scale invasion, the Verkhovna Rada shifted to a single, continuous plenary session starting each February and September. For instance, on February 3, 2026, the Rada closed its 14th session and immediately opened the 15th. This change in procedure created a legal gray area regarding leave during martial law.
From a legal standpoint, the new law resolved the question of MPs' leave entitlements during wartime. However, as noted by Oleg Synyutka, a representative of the 'European Solidarity' party, the issue is more moral and political than legal, as compensation from the state budget is only paid following a formal application from an individual MP. The ethical dimension is particularly sensitive given the nation's economic strain.
Among the MPs who have received substantial compensation payments are:
- Yuriy Kisel, Head of the Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, received UAH 403.9 thousand;
- Andriy Klochko received UAH 547.8 thousand;
- Oleksandr Feldman from the 'Restoration of Ukraine' parliamentary group – UAH 429.5 thousand;
- Valeriy Bozhyk received UAH 527.7 thousand;
- Mykhailo Papiiev from the 'Platform for Life and Peace' group – UAH 487.6 thousand;
- Ihor Negulevsky received UAH 400 thousand;
- Yuriy Koryavchenkov – UAH 371.1 thousand.
Thus, the new law has provided a mechanism for MPs to receive compensation for unused leave, generating considerable public discussion about the necessity and ethics of such payments under current national circumstances. The situation highlights the complex interplay between legal rights and public expectations during a period of national crisis.
This scenario reflects the difficult legal and ethical questions emerging in the context of war and the economic challenges facing the country. Compensation payments to lawmakers may be perceived as inappropriate by many citizens enduring hardship. It underscores the critical importance of public oversight of government officials and their accountability to voters.