Business warned the government about risks to production due to changes in reservation
The European Business Association (EBA) called on the Cabinet of Ministers not to tighten the rules for reserving conscripted employees without prior discussion with employers. The business community fears that reducing quotas could lead to the loss of key specialists, production disruptions and problems with fulfilling contracts.
This is stated in the official statement of the association, published on October 12.
The greatest concern for business is the possible reduction of reservation limits for critical enterprises, a change in the procedure for calculating the number of reserved employees and a review of the procedure for confirming criticality status.
The association notes that enterprises are already operating in conditions of severe shortage of qualified personnel, rising operating costs and regular outages of electricity and water supply due to Russian attacks.
Additional loss of staff under such circumstances can negatively affect the continuity of enterprises, fulfillment of contractual obligations and tax revenues to the budget.
At the same time, the EBA emphasizes that business is aware of the needs of the Defense Forces and the priority of ensuring the state's defense capability. However, decisions on mobilization of employees of critical enterprises must also take into account the needs of the economy.
Enterprises have recently already passed a criticality check
The association drew attention to the fact that Ukrainian business has just completed another stage of confirming the status of critical enterprises.
By September 1, companies had to extend the validity of criticality decisions or re-obtain the relevant status under updated requirements.
These rules were introduced by Cabinet of Ministers resolutions No. 692 of May 30 and No. 862 of July 1, 2026.
According to the association, a new revision of the reservation mechanism soon after the previous tightening of requirements creates additional uncertainty for employers planning production processes and fulfillment of long-term orders.
Therefore, the EBA calls on the government to officially publish the proposed changes, hold consultations with business and assess their impact on the work of enterprises in advance.
The association declared readiness to join the discussions and provide consolidated proposals of its member companies.
The government may consider changes as early as October 13
According to Forbes Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers may consider changes to the reservation procedure at its meeting on October 13. This was reported to the publication by two sources in the government familiar with the project.
As previously reported "Kurs Ukrainy" with reference to MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak, the prepared project provides for a reduction of reservation quotas for individual enterprises of the defense industry and energy from 100% to 85%.
For heat supply enterprises, water utilities and waste management, the limit is proposed to be reduced from 75% to 60%.
Even enterprises whose standard quota remains at 50% may lose the ability to reserve a portion of employees. According to published information about the project, it is proposed to exclude from the calculation base conscripted individuals who already have a deferment from mobilization on other grounds.
The creation of a Coordination Center under the Cabinet of Ministers is also being considered, which will influence the designation of critical enterprises and the approval of increased reservation quotas.
According to Forbes Ukraine, the proposed changes raise questions not only among entrepreneurs but also within the government.
The European Business Association is currently refraining from assessing specific provisions of the project, as its official text has not yet been published.
As of the time of writing, the decision on new quota reductions is not confirmed. Accordingly, these are possible changes, not already approved reservation rules.
Based on materials: European Business Association, Forbes Ukraine