Reforms to Ukraine's Labor and Military Registration Laws
Ukraine has enacted significant amendments to its labor and military registration laws, impacting employee mobilization deferrals, civil servant age limits, contract suspensions, social leave, and fines for failing to meet disability employment quotas. The government has updated the procedure for reserving employees beyond established limits, while the Ministry of Defense has clarified how to increase the reservation of military-eligible personnel beyond the standard 50% cap. These changes are part of broader efforts to balance wartime mobilization needs with economic stability.
Updated Reservation Procedures and New Regulations
A hierarchical process now governs mobilization deferrals: critical enterprises must apply to the government body that granted them critical status. That state authority then prepares a justified proposal for review by a special interagency working group at the Ministry of Defense. Following a positive decision, the company is obligated to formalize the reservations via the Diia portal within five business days.
- Under the new Law No. 4782-IX, the maximum age for civil servants has been raised from 65 to 70 years.
- This provision is temporary, effective for the duration of martial law and for two years following its termination.
- As noted by Tetiana Sholkova, extension of service until age 70 is not automatic and will be determined by the appointing authority or manager.
Rules for suspending employment contracts will change from March 14, 2026. The maximum suspension period will be limited to 90 calendar days. Any order issued for a longer term will automatically expire on the 91st day, reinstating the contract. Furthermore, new rules for social leave related to child care prohibit splitting the leave into parts. For instance, even if an employee requests a reduction from 17 to 15 days, the employer is not permitted to shorten its duration.
Additionally, starting January 1, 2026, new fines will be introduced for non-compliance with quotas for employing persons with disabilities. During wartime, the penalty will be set at 50% of the full fine amount. These amendments aim to enhance social protections and adapt labor legislation to current challenges, reflecting the government's attempt to align legal frameworks with the demands of war while safeguarding vulnerable groups.
The enacted labor law reforms demonstrate the Ukrainian government's effort to adapt its legal framework to wartime necessities and ensure social protection. Specifically, the new rules are designed to reduce administrative barriers for critical enterprises and create conditions for retaining experienced civil servants. Simultaneously, the new fines for non-fulfillment of disability employment quotas underscore the continued importance of ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens, even under the difficult conditions of war.