Up to 15% of reserved workers in Ukraine may lose their deferment, expert says

The executive director of the Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs, Kateryna Glazkova, stated that between 5% and 15% of employees at companies belonging to the organization may lose their reserved status following changes to the rules.

She made the statement in an interview with Ukrainian media.

According to Economy Minister Oleksiy Sobolev, there are currently more than 1.3 million reserved workers in Ukraine. The ministry does not expect a significant reduction in their number: the total may fluctuate within the range of 1.1–1.3 million.

The Cabinet of Ministers has raised the minimum wage threshold required for a worker to receive reserved status to 25,941 hryvnias. In addition, companies will once again have to prove their strategic importance, and deferments will only be granted at a person’s primary place of employment.

According to available information, another wave of reductions in reserved workers is expected as part of the upcoming mobilization reform.