Koretsky: Critical enterprises will not face radical changes in reservation

The Prime Minister of Ukraine, Sergiy Koretsky, stated that the government does not plan to radically change the rules for reserving employees of enterprises that ensure defense capability and operation of critical infrastructure. At the same time, the Cabinet of Ministers continues to review the mechanism of 100% reservation due to identified abuses.

Koretsky reported this on October 16 during the Question Hour to the government in the Verkhovna Rada.

According to the Prime Minister, the resolution regarding changes in the reservation system is at the stage of finalization. The final provisions of the document will be published after the adoption of relevant decisions.

"There is nothing to worry about for critical enterprises that are truly critical for both the defense complex and the energy complex. I can say with great confidence that for these people, for these enterprises, for these productions, there will be no radical changes", stated Koretsky.

The main reason for reviewing the rules, the Prime Minister called possible abuses of the right to reserve all conscripted employees.

He explained that enterprises with a 100% quota can increase staff and reserve employees regardless of whether they are directly involved in performing critically important tasks.

As an example, Koretsky cited an unnamed contractor company performing work for "Ukrenergo". According to him, the enterprise was able to reserve the entire staff, although out of 100 employees, only 20 actually performed work for the power system operator.

"Then it's simply business, they engage in some business activities, carry out some projects, and 100% are reserved", explained the Prime Minister.

According to Koretsky, exactly such cases force the government to analyze the feasibility of maintaining 100% reservation in its current form.

The Prime Minister also proposed to more clearly differentiate the economic indicators of an enterprise and its real criticality for the state.

He noted that payment of salaries, payment of taxes, and absence of tax debt in themselves do not always indicate the critical importance of the enterprise for the defense capability or life support of the country.

The issue of changing the rules was raised by People's Deputy Oleksandr Fedienko. He stated that the draft government resolution of October 13 caused serious concern among defense-industrial and other critically important enterprises.

The deputy criticized the preparation of changes without proper consultations with the relevant parliamentary committee and called on the government to reconsider the proposed approach.

In response, Koretsky emphasized that the reservation system needs improvement taking into account the needs of the General Staff in replenishing the army. At the same time, the government must ensure the continuous operation of enterprises on which the defense and functioning of the state depend.

Recall that on October 13, the Cabinet of Ministers considered changes to the rules for reserving conscripts. According to information released earlier by people's deputies and the media, the government approved the document with further finalization, and postponed the final decision on reducing quotas.

The previous draft provided for the possibility of reducing the maximum share of reserved employees for enterprises of the defense industry and energy from 100% to 85%, and for some communal enterprises - from 75% to 60%.

These proposals caused objections from business associations and representatives of the defense sector, who warned about the risks of losing necessary specialists and disruptions in production.

As of October 16, the final parameters of the new reservation procedure have not been published. Therefore, the previously mentioned proposals regarding quota reductions should not be considered as current rules. At the same time, Koretsky's statement does not mean a complete refusal of the government to review the 100% reservation.

Based on materials: Speech of Sergiy Koretsky in the Verkhovna Rada