Reservations could be reduced: businesses fear losing key specialists

In Ukraine, a possible tightening of the rules for reserving employees liable for military service at critically important enterprises is being discussed. The European Business Association (EBA) is concerned that additional restrictions could lead to the loss of qualified personnel and increase risks for the economy.

The association responded to reports circulating publicly about a possible review of the current reservation procedure. However, the official text of the proposed changes has not yet been published. As a result, EBA cannot assess the document’s specific provisions, although the prospect of new restrictions is already causing serious concern among business owners.

According to information available to the association, a possible review of the rules could cover the following issues:

• reducing reservation quotas for certain categories of enterprises;
• changing the principles used to determine how many employees may receive a deferment from mobilization;
• reviewing the procedure for confirming an enterprise’s critically important status.

Businesses’ concerns extend beyond staffing. As business owners warn, losing key specialists could make it harder for enterprises to operate and meet production targets, as well as negatively affect the resilience of Ukraine’s economy.

EBA recognizes the needs of the Ukrainian Defense Forces and the unquestionable priority of protecting the state. At the same time, the association stresses the need for balance: the army’s mobilization needs must be taken into account alongside enterprises’ ability to continue operating.

There is further concern because, by September 1, critically important enterprises had already undergone the process of renewing their status or obtaining it anew under updated requirements and criteria. Another review of the rules in this context could create additional uncertainty for employers.

The European Business Association has called on the government not to make decisions without first consulting business owners. Businesses propose:

• publishing the draft changes;
• holding open consultations;
• assessing the potential impact of the new restrictions on businesses and the country’s economy.

We previously reported:

• Cabinet changes reservation rules for critically important enterprises
• Thousands of employees could lose their reservations: Cabinet tightens rules for critical enterprises
• Sending reserved employees to the front, invalidating all disability certificates, selling deferments: proposals in the Verkhovna Rada on mobilization
• “The reservation system isn’t working”: a key employee mobilized in Mykolaiv
• “A collapse could begin because of staff shortages,” says the director of a brewery in Korabelnyi about the mobilization of its employees