“The labor market in Ukraine still functions according to the Labor Code of 1971.”, — write: www.unian.ua
The labor market in Ukraine still functions according to the Labor Code of 1971.
The Code establishes clear signs of labor relations / photo UNIANOn January 7, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the draft Labor Code of Ukraine, which should kick-start labor market reform. Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyridenko announced this in her Telegram channel.
“The labor market in Ukraine still functions according to the Labor Code of 1971. During this time, the structure of the economy, employment formats and the needs of employers and employees have changed. The new Labor Code takes this into account and forms clear rules of labor relations,” said Svyridenko.
According to her, the document is one of the key steps for the implementation of the Population Employment Strategy until 2030, which the government also adopted today during the meeting. The goal is to make the labor market more inclusive and to involve in economic activity people who today are often left out of the market: women, youth, veterans, people with disabilities.
What is changingThe Code establishes clear signs of labor relations. The head of the government noted that the document defines eight signs of labor relations. This will help reduce legal uncertainty and bring employment out of the shadows. Preliminary estimates regarding the detinization of the labor market – UAH 43 billion per year:
- Flexible labor contracts. The number of types of employment contracts increases from 6 to 9. The Code clearly regulates modern work formats: remote, home, non-fixed working hours. In addition, the employee will be able to conclude several types of employment contracts with the employer.
- Digitization of labor relations. Electronic documents are equated to paper documents in labor relations.
- A transparent mechanism for determining the minimum wage, both monthly and hourlyharmonized with EU standards. The minimum limit will be determined as a percentage of the average salary, which will be set by the government.
- Flexible working regimes for employees who have children. The Code establishes the right to flexible forms of work (remote work, work at home). And also gives more opportunities to parents. For example, expanding the rights of both parents to take leave to care for a child: both mother and father will be able to take two months of leave each.
- Labor inspection reform. A risk-oriented approach to inspections is implemented.
- More opportunities for youth employment. In particular, the code introduces a separate mechanism for a safe combination of education and first work – the student employment contract.
- The adoption of the new Labor Code is also an important step for our further European integration. The document provides for the implementation of more than 30 EU directives, regulations and conventions of the International Labor Organization.
The next step will be consideration of the project in the first reading in the parliament hall. The government is counting on the support of people’s deputies and constructive work on the document between readings.
The government’s decision is the main news On December 26, 2025, it became known that the government of Ukraine is gradually raising the level of wages in the field of education. In general, during 2026, teachers’ salaries will be increased by 50%.
In October last year, it was reported that the “Obriy” ecosystem was being launched for unemployed Ukrainians, under which they would be able to receive 15,000 hryvnias.
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