In 2026, updated requirements for the employment of people with disabilities came into effect in Ukraine, including regarding their minimum wage level. The formal employment of a worker is no longer sufficient - legislation has tightened the criteria for counting such a worker towards the mandatory norm. This is reported by News.LIVE referring to Law No. 4219-IX.
The changes are provided by the law “On Amending Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on Ensuring the Right of Persons with Disabilities to Work”, which introduced new mechanisms of control and financial responsibility for businesses.
Minimum wage for employees with disabilities: new rules
From January 2026, employers with more than eight employees are obliged to meet the norm for the employment of people with disabilities. It amounts to 4% of the average number of employees. For companies with a personnel count from 8 to 25, the employment of at least one such person is mandatory.
At the same time, a key requirement regarding salary has been introduced: an employee with a disability is counted towards the norm only if their monthly salary exceeds the minimum established on January 1, 2026 - 8,647 UAH, for a fully worked month.
Employment standard for persons with disabilities in 2026
Only those employees who meet the following conditions are counted towards the norm:
have an established disability group;
work at the main job;
receive a salary above the minimum - at least 8,648 UAH in 2026;
work full or part-time while complying with the salary requirement.
If the employee works part-time, the salary considering the employment must still exceed the minimum. Otherwise, such an employee will not be counted towards the standard, and the employer will be obliged to pay a targeted contribution to the Fund for Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities.
Earlier we wrote about which regions have the most jobs for people with disabilities.