Even exempted individuals are being mobilized: Ukrainian businesses urge authorities to impose accountability for military recruitment violations

The business community is urging the Ukrainian government to introduce accountability for violations committed by representatives of territorial recruitment centers during mobilization.

This was stated by the European Business Association (EBA).

According to the EBA, there has been a significant increase in cases where even employees of critically important enterprises—who have been officially exempted—are being forcibly mobilized. Additionally, military medical commissions are reportedly conducting evaluations in a formalistic manner, often without allowing conscripts to gather the necessary documents to confirm their health conditions.

This situation, the EBA emphasized, complicates or even halts the operations of companies, negatively affecting the economy and tax revenues.

The association welcomed the introduction of draft law No. 12442 in the Verkhovna Rada, which aims to improve legislation to prevent abuses by recruitment center employees and military medical commissions.

“The EBA supports this legislative initiative. After the introduction of stricter requirements for businesses regarding mobilization, this bill logically continues the reform of mobilization laws. Strengthening accountability should apply to all parties involved in the process. The adoption of this bill could help balance public administration, create transparent and fair conditions for all stakeholders, prevent corruption, and ensure stability and predictability for businesses critical to the economy,” the *EBA* stated.

Media reports indicate that the bill proposes an eight-year prison sentence for recruitment center and medical commission employees found guilty of illegal mobilization. However, it does not include penalties for violent street mobilization tactics, such as beatings, forced detentions, or phone confiscation.

Meanwhile, due to labor shortages caused by mobilization, Ukrainian businesses have begun hiring foreign workers, including from Bangladesh.