The Verkhovna Rada demands the cancellation of new rules for employee reservations: what the deputies propose

The Verkhovna Rada opposed the changes to the rules for reserving military personnel, which the Cabinet of Ministers proposed on October 13. Some MPs believe that the government made the decision without proper approval from the parliament, and the innovations may create serious risks for the operation of critical enterprises.

A corresponding statement was made during the parliament session by Serhiy Rakhmanin, a member of the Holos faction and a member of the Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence.

According to him, the government did not conduct the necessary consultations with the relevant committee of the Verkhovna Rada, although the proposed changes directly affect the work of strategic sectors of the economy.

What changes to reserving military personnel did the government propose

The initial version of the government resolution of October 13 provided for a significant reduction in the number of employees who can receive a reserving military personnel.

In particular, the following changes were discussed:

From 100% to 85% — reduction of the maximum share of reserved military personnel for individual enterprises.
From 75% to 60% — reduction of the reservation quota for housing and communal services enterprises.
Creation of a Coordination Center for Organizing Reservations.

The changes could affect enterprises that provide heating, water supply, sewage and household waste removal.

At the same time, the Cabinet of Ministers provided a five-day deadline for finalizing the document, in particular regarding percentage reservation quotas.

What do the people’s deputies demand

Representatives of the parliamentary committee called on the government to cancel the decision of October 13 and return to discussing the changes.

In particular, the deputies propose to abandon the creation of a Coordination Center for Organizing Reservations, resume consultations with the Verkhovna Rada and involve business representatives in the discussion.

Parliamentarians call for special attention to be paid to enterprises of the defense-industrial complex, the fuel and energy sector, housing and communal services, and communications.

According to the deputies, these industries should receive the maximum possible level of reservation, since the vital activity of the state depends on their stable operation.

Why are the deputies against the innovations

Sergiy Rakhmanin emphasized that the need to improve mobilization processes is beyond doubt. At the same time, according to his assessment, the approach proposed by the government may negatively affect the stability of the operation of critical infrastructure.

Parliamentarians fear that reducing reservation quotas will lead to a shortage of qualified workers at enterprises that provide the population with vital services.

The Verkhovna Rada has already begun collecting signatures for a draft resolution that will recommend the government to reconsider its decision.

Will the reservation rules change in the near future

Currently, the final wording of the proposed changes remains a subject of discussion.

It is important that the demand of the people’s deputies to cancel the resolution does not mean the automatic cancellation of the government decision. For this, the Cabinet of Ministers must adopt an appropriate decision.

The further fate of the new reservation quotas will depend on the results of the finalization of the resolution and consultations between the government, parliament and representatives of critical industries.

Thus, the issue of reducing the share of reserved workers remains open, and the final conditions of the reservation must be determined according to the current version of government regulations.