This summer, Ukraine is set to introduce significant changes to its military mobilization and employee booking regulations. The government has already announced several updates, while others remain under wraps.
Main Highlights:
- Revised Booking Rules: The Cabinet of Ministers has raised the minimum salary for employees and closed loopholes that previously allowed businesses to inflate quotas.
- Review of Critical Status: Criteria for determining critical enterprises will be updated in June, with a deadline for businesses to confirm their status by September 1.
- Mobilization Reform: Although specific details are yet to be publicly disclosed, plans include substantial salary increases and the introduction of flexible contracts with defined service terms.
Updated Booking Regulations
At the end of May, the Cabinet revised the rules for reserving military personnel. A key change is the increase in the minimum average salary required for employees:
- 25,941 UAH for critical enterprises.
- 21,618 UAH for businesses located in frontline areas.
The government has also addressed the issue of artificially inflating employee numbers. Now, individuals working multiple jobs or those already deferred will be counted only at one workplace.
Practical Implications: If an individual is employed by two companies simultaneously, they will not increase the total workforce count (and thus the booking limit) for both employers.
This adjustment aims to prevent companies from artificially inflating their employee lists to gain additional booking slots.
New Criteria and Critical Status Review
Throughout June, ministries and regional administrations will update the criteria for classifying enterprises as critical. All changes will be coordinated with the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Economy.
Implications for Businesses:
- Deadline – September 1: After the new rules are approved, businesses will have two months to reaffirm their critical status and rebook employees according to the updated requirements.
- Existing Reservations Remain Valid: During the transition period, the current status of enterprises and previously issued deferrals will remain in effect, allowing businesses ample time to adjust documentation without losing essential personnel.
Mobilization Reform
In early May, Ukraine announced a comprehensive reform of its mobilization process. Specific and final changes have not been publicly presented yet.
However, based on public statements from the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, as well as insights from a closed presentation by the Ministry of Defense to lawmakers, the key elements of the reform are becoming clearer.
Key Proposed Changes:
Increased Base Salary: The minimum pay for all military personnel, including those in support roles, is expected to rise from 20,000 to 30,000 UAH. Commanders will also see salary increases.
Substantial Frontline Bonuses: Soldiers on the front lines will receive significant bonuses, with additional payments ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 UAH for each day of combat, depending on task difficulty.
Monthly payments for infantry could reach up to 400,000 UAH, particularly benefiting mechanized and airborne troops, as well as marines and other critical positions.
The President stated that decisions regarding military pay should be finalized by June.
Flexible Contract System: Instead of indefinite service, contracts with specific terms will be introduced. This option will be available to both new volunteers and current service members. Those who opt not to enter into a contract will serve under standard mobilization rules.
Possible Contract Lengths:
- 6-9 months for military personnel returning from medical leave;
- 10 months for those already in the Armed Forces;
- 2 years or more for new volunteers.
Shorter service terms will be available for those injured, and guaranteed rest periods will follow the completion of contracts.
Discharge from Service: Full demobilization will only occur after the war ends. However, the government is developing criteria for discharging personnel who have spent extended periods in combat. The process for releasing the first batch of previously mobilized soldiers is expected to begin in 2026.
Ukraine is poised to implement new mobilization and employee booking regulations this summer, including increased salary requirements and a review of critical enterprise status. These changes aim to streamline the mobilization process and ensure fair compensation for military personnel.