REGULATION OF LABOR RELATIONS IN THE CONDITIONS OF WAR: LEGISLATIVE CHANGES

Abstract

This article summarizes the list of legislative acts adopted and amended in the field of labor relations regulation and labor market during martial law. The author considers legislative changes in the field of labor relations regulation in the context of such components as conclusion of an employment contract, change of essential working conditions, transfer of employees, termination of an employment contract at the initiative of an employee and an employer, suspension of an employment  contract, working hours, rest periods, remuneration, collective bargaining agreements, and trade union activities. Legislative changes in the field of labor relations regulation are deemed to be more aligned with the interests of employers. However, it can still be argued that they are justified and objectively necessary in the context of military challenges. The article analyzes recent legislative changes in labor market regulation and social protection for the unemployed. These changes include expanding the list of citizens who require additional employment guarantees, eliminating job quotas for certain categories of citizens, and modifying the conditions and expanding the list of compensation programs for employers. Additionally, the article discusses the procedure and conditions for granting and paying unemployment benefits. Studies show that compensation programs for the single social contribution are stimulating in nature and have a positive effect on the functioning of the national labor market. However, some of them have inflated requirements regarding the level of remuneration. The vast majority of changes in the procedure for the appointment and payment of unemployment benefits are aimed at increasing the efficiency of the use of funds from the Unemployment Fund, but lead to a decrease in material support for the vast majority of unemployed people. After all, the duration of unemployment benefits from now on depends on the insurance experience; increased insurance experience, which gives the right to unemployment benefits based on wages; interest rates on the  regressive scale of unemployment benefit payments depending on its duration have been reduced; the maximum amount of unemployment benefits has been reduced. It has been determined that most changes in the relevant area aim to save funds for the Unemployment Fund.