New Rules for Civil Servants: What Side Jobs Are Still Allowed?

Restrictions on Business Activities for Public Officials

According to НАЗК: As part of new rules limiting outside paid work, Ukrainian civil servants are now prohibited from engaging in business. This move is designed to ensure transparency and prevent conflicts of interest within the public sector. Under current law, officials are permitted to hold roles only in teaching, scientific research, creative arts, medical practice, sports instruction, and sports judging.

Updated Regulations and Penalties

According to the new regulations, a public official must cease any business activities no later than 15 working days after their appointment to a position. Failure to comply can lead to disciplinary and administrative liability. Crucially, violations under Article 172-4 of Ukraine's Code of Administrative Offenses (CAO) can result in a fine and confiscation of income. These reforms are part of Ukraine's ongoing anti-corruption efforts, aligning with broader Western-supported governance standards.

The ban on entrepreneurial activity does not apply to local council deputies, nor to the First Deputy, Deputy, and staff of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada's secretariats. Furthermore, during martial law, the restrictions do not apply to civil servants of categories 'B' and 'C' and local government officials who are on idle time or unpaid leave.

A recent case saw the former deputy head of a department in the Lviv Regional State Administration convicted under Part 1 of Article 172-4 of the CAO. The court imposed a fine of nearly 100,000 hryvnias for violating the established norms. Separately, a court in Odesa found the deputy head of the Inspection Department of the Sea Ports Authority guilty of an administrative offense, issuing a fine with confiscation of income.

These enforcement actions underscore the critical importance of legal compliance for state officials and the necessity of upholding ethical standards in their work.

The introduced restrictions on business activities for civil servants form part of a wider strategy to combat corruption and bolster public trust in state institutions. They aim to reduce opportunities for conflicts of interest and ensure integrity in the performance of official duties. This policy is also likely to influence the overall ethical culture within the public sector, where transparency and accountability are becoming increasingly paramount.