Legislative Changes for Government Employees
The Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, has passed legislation raising the mandatory retirement age for civil servants and local government employees to 70. This change, which took effect under martial law, will remain in force for two years after its termination. The primary driver for this decision is a severe personnel shortage caused by wartime mobilization, which has made it difficult to staff government bodies adequately. This move reflects the immense strain the ongoing conflict has placed on Ukraine's public administration.
Supported by 243 members of parliament, the new rules now allow officials to remain in service until they turn 70. Previously, the law permitted extensions beyond the age of 65 only through a special annual review process. This step aims to ensure more stable operations for state institutions during the challenging conditions of war.
Planned Salary System Reform
Separately, as part of a broader salary reform scheduled for 2025, the compensation for civil servants will be restructured into fixed and variable components. This reform is being considered against a backdrop where approximately 80% of government employees report that their current income is insufficient.
MP Fedir Venislavskyi noted that during martial law, it is not always possible to have young people in state service, and there is a category of individuals who, even after reaching 70, are still capable of performing their duties effectively.
The parliament's decision is a direct response to the challenges the country faces during the war, intended to maintain the proper functioning of state bodies. Given the personnel deficit, raising the age limit may help retain the experience and knowledge of older employees who can continue their work. However, this new measure also underscores the pressing need for comprehensive reforms to the public sector wage system to ensure decent conditions for all government workers.