Ukraine updates policy for ‘critical’ entities – Denys Shmyhal
Source: Denys Shmyhal/Telegram
Ukraine’s PM Denys Shmyhal said on Friday that his government wrapped up its audit of “critical’ enterprises and organizations that can seek professional exemptions for their employees under the country’s wartime mobilization rules. It looks like changes are coming, and they’ll impact businesses across the board.
Under the new guidlines, the criteria used by local councils and industries to grant a ‘critical’ entity status will need an approval from the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Economy. The rules will become stricter. Companies in the private sector looking to have their workers exampt from the call-up must now ensure that their average salary is no less than 2.5 minimum wages — currently set at 20,000 hryvnias.
It’s not just about salary. Employees themselves must be earning at least the same amount in order to qualify for exemption. On top of that, businesses can’t be behind on taxes or any other payments to the government.
Starting December 1, 2024, the policy will go into effect, and exemption applications known in Ukraine as reservations will be processed only through the “Diya” mobile app. Companies will also face monthly checks to ensure they meet all the updated criteria.
For those companies already holding reservations, there will be a transition period until February 28, 2025. By this deadline, all businesses will be required to reapply for employee examptions to adjust their policies to the new guidelines.
Amendments to Ukraine’s enforcement proceedings legislation, initiated by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, have entered into force. Among other measures, the reform provides for the automated lifting of attachments on bank accounts immediately after debts in enforcement proceedings have been fully settled. The main practical benefit for citizens is the complete elimination of the need to contact an enforcement officer in person and wait for paper decisions once the debt has been paid.
The 157th Separate Mechanized Brigade has received another batch of supplies as part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front military initiative. This time, the military received seven quad bikes and four mobile shower and bath units.
In my previous column, I wrote about social innovations in Ukraine. Those innovations are part of civic resilience and the democratization of security, which Europe is paying close attention to right now. The EU is trying to work out how to spread responsibility for its own security across society as a whole, rather than leaving it to institutions alone. It is looking for concrete ways to bring ordinary people into the work of defense and resistance.
Petro Poroshenko’s lawyers have appealed to the High Anti-Corruption Court demanding that NABU be obligated to register proceedings regarding the fact of exerting influence on the court and to recognize Petro Poroshenko as a victim in the case of the Deputy Head of the Office of the President, Iryna Mudra, due to her pressure on Supreme Court judges who were considering a lawsuit to overturn sanctions.
Internationally recognized brands and financial institutions should direct capital to Ukraine now, not waiting for the hostilities to end. This was emphasized by Rinat Akhmetov, president of FC Shakhtar, during a working visit to UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, where he met with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.