Employment Rights for Victims of the Chernobyl Disaster
Employees affected by the Chernobyl catastrophe are entitled to an extra paid leave of 14 working days each year, equivalent to 16 calendar days. To ensure payment for this leave in 2027, employers must submit the required documentation to the Pension Fund of Ukraine by October 31, 2026.
Criteria and Procedure for Granting the Additional Leave
This benefit applies to workers classified under categories 1 and 2, as well as to one parent of a child with disabilities related to the Chernobyl incident. The additional leave is only available through the employee’s primary workplace. Employers are obligated to provide four key documents to the Pension Fund:
- Company data passport,
- Employee lists,
- Leave schedules,
- Cost calculations for the upcoming year.
The company data passport includes details about the number of affected employees and their specific categories. This document format was approved by the Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity under order No. 110-N dated March 29, 2023. Employee lists must include full names, category, series and number of the Chernobyl certificate (if applicable), residence address, and taxpayer identification number or passport details in legally required cases. Leave schedules are prepared in the company’s own format and must specify the period of the additional leave for each eligible worker.
Cost calculations should reflect the total amount needed to cover leave payments, considering the average daily salary and number of leave days. The use of budget funds for these payments is regulated by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 936 dated September 20, 2005. This information was shared by the Pension Fund of Ukraine on their official Facebook page.
This announcement highlights the commitment to supporting workers impacted by the Chernobyl disaster, guaranteeing their right to rest and compensation.Pension Fund of Ukraine
With the deadline for submitting documentation approaching in autumn 2026, employers must ensure compliance with all requirements to secure these financial benefits for their affected employees. The extra leave policy is part of Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to address the long-term consequences of the Chernobyl tragedy and provide tangible support to those impacted.