The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has initiated a review of the current rules for reserving liable-for-military-service employees, which may lead to significantly stricter conditions for business. According to current information from government sources and MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak, the authorities plan to change the quota calculation methodology and toughen the criteria for recognizing enterprises as critical for the economy and defense.
New Quota Calculation Mechanics
The key change will be a revision of the basis for calculating the 50% quota. If previously the calculation was based on the total number of liable-for-military-service employees, now the government plans to exclude individuals who have other legal grounds for deferment (such as fathers of many children or guardians). In practice, this means a reduction in the number of employees eligible for reservation.
Creation of a Special Control Body
The government plans to establish a Coordination Center under the Cabinet consisting of 17 representatives from security agencies, including the SBU, the GUR, and the National Police. This body will have the authority to recommend stripping an enterprise of its critical status. Without the center's approval, a business will not be able to agree on a quota exceeding 50%, effectively handing control of the mobilization reserve to the security bloc.
Conflicting Data
There is a conflict of interest between the economic bloc and security agencies. While the Technological Forces of Ukraine insist on maintaining 100% reservation for the defense industry, fearing production halts due to labor shortages, government drafts are discussing a limit of 85%. Both the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Energy have officially expressed critical remarks regarding the proposed innovations, indicating a lack of final consensus within the authorities.
Context of Deadlines
It is important to note that the changes are announced against the backdrop of the recent end of the transition period: on September 1, 2026, the deadline for confirming critical status for companies that received it before June 2 expired. Enterprises that failed to re-register under the new salary criteria have already lost their reservations. Ministries are expected to present updated industry criteria by October 20, further increasing pressure on employers.
