At some defense plants, there are tasks that only one or two people can perform. The loss of even one such specialist can stop work and delay the supply of weapons to the military. Ukrainian manufacturers are warning about these consequences after the change in booking rules. IT companies are also afraid of problems, but with bookings.
At some defense plants, there are tasks that only one or two people can perform. The loss of even one such specialist can stop work and delay the supply of weapons to the military. Ukrainian manufacturers are warning about these consequences after the change in booking rules. IT companies are also afraid of problems, but with bookings.
Representatives of the Ukrainian Council of Gunsmiths, the Technological Forces of Ukraine (TSU), and the IT Ukraine Association told DOU about this.
Previously, defense companies could book 100% of military-duty employees. Now the overall limit is 95%, although it can be increased by separate agreement. But, as explained by the CEO of the Ukrainian Council of Arms Manufacturers, Ihor Fedirko, even such a reduction can affect the fulfillment of defense orders.
"When a manufacturer signs a contract, it calculates the need for people, components, and equipment. And even if there are fewer people, the obligations to the state remain the same. The consequence may be delays in the supply of weapons to the military," he explains.
The need for people is especially acute for engineers, designers, electronics specialists, machine operators, and testers. At some enterprises, only one or two people can perform certain operations. Also, some specialists work with technologies and information to which access is limited. Therefore, even if a specialist is found, it is not always possible to immediately allow him to work.
"The personnel shortage in the industry is such that the search for a narrow-profile specialist takes up to six months, and at least another six months are needed for his full adaptation in the team," the Technological Forces of Ukraine (TSU) said.
And if we are talking about a small parts manufacturer that supplies them to several defense companies at once, personnel problems can affect several production facilities at once.
For IT businesses, the quota remains unchanged — critical businesses can still reserve up to 50% of their military-enlisted employees. But now obtaining or confirming critical company statusmay take longer and be more difficult.
A new Coordination Center under the Cabinet of Ministers will be involved in the procedure, which will verify information and provide recommendations. Up to one calendar month is provided for their preparation, and for urgent cases - seven working days.
So if status confirmation is delayed or requirements for businesses change, businesses may face difficulties when making reservations.
"That is why it is important for the industry that the criteria remain clear, objective, and predictable, and that administrative procedures do not create additional barriers," the Association emphasizes.
In addition, the rules are not yet final. The Ministry of Digital Affairs informed the DOU that ministries should prepare updated criticality criteria. After approval by the Coordination Center, they will be approved by separate orders.
For defense manufacturers, one of the main uncertainties is how the new limit will work in practice. The fact is that the regulation simultaneously establishes a 95% reservation and provides for mandatory reservation of all workers directly involved in weapons production.
But it is not known what to do in an enterprise where more than 95% of employees are like this? The Technological Forces of Ukraine say that the mechanism for applying these norms still needs clarification.
There are no fewer questions about the quota increase procedure. An enterprise that needs more reserved workers will have to undergo additional approval. And this can take time that defense manufacturers do not have.
"For a company that recruits people under a specific contract, a month of uncertainty means shifted schedules," the TSU explains.
Producers also want to know what will happen to existing reservations and how much time they will be given to transition to the new rules.
According to Fedirko, a mass cancellation of existing reservations is not expected at the moment. Representatives of the defense industry propose to apply new quotas only during the next rebooking of employees. According to Igor Fedirko, the Ministry of Defense has agreed to discuss this proposal with the government, but there is no final decision yet.
Earlier, dev.ua wrote that Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky announced a new "social contract" between the state and business. The Prime Minister proposed a model under which business could reserve all employees, but in return ensure the predicted involvement of part of the team in the army.
