EBA urges revisions to controversial conscription bill
The European Business Association (EBA) does not support the current version of the conscription bill recently passed in the first reading, and is advocating for enhancements to the legislation, the EBA said on Feb. 7.
The business community disapproves of the document in its present form, citing concerns about potential violations of the Constitution of Ukraine and the adverse consequences this may have for the country's overall economy, the statement said.
Read also: Verkhovna Rada set to review in the first reading an extensive mobilization bill on Jan. 11
Key concerns include:
The mandatory registration in the conscript's electronic portal is considered problematic, as not all Ukrainian citizens have the necessary technical means and internet access
The discrepancy between the day of summons dispatch and the day of receipt potentially allows accusations of evasion without concrete evidence
The introduction of compulsory military registration for citizens permanently residing abroad lacks clear explanations for the purpose and implementation mechanisms
The obligation for individuals to provide their data within 60 days from the mobilization start date through administrative service centers or the conscript's electronic portal (post-Feb. 24, 2022)
The requirement for enterprise heads to ensure the delivery of employee-conscript to military recruitment offices for data updates raises questions about enforcement methods
The expansion of police and territorial authorities' powers regarding conscription and military document verification poses additional burdens and inappropriate functions with potential high corruption risks
The business community emphasizes the necessity of allowing i a 12-month employee reservation term to align with critical enterprise decisions for the national economy. EBA also urges legislators to allow soldiers to update their personal data post-reservation without losing their reserved status, as well as to reevaluate measures of influence. It expressed concern that the current approach may lean more towards a corrupt and punitive measures rather than motivation, which is essential for the country.
"The European Business Association appeals to the head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence, Oleksandr Zavitnevych, to establish a working group to refine the bill before the second reading, which should include representatives from the business community,” the statement reads.
“Otherwise, the consequences of the impact on the economy and the country as a whole can be irreparable, and the big question is who will be responsible for them."
The Cabinet of Ministers registered a conscription bill on Dec. 25, 2023 in the Verkhovna Rada, which received a lot of criticism.
The document was expected to be considered in the first reading on Jan. 11. The second reading, after all amendments were made, could have taken place in early February.
The EBA stated that the proposed provisions in the bill might lead to an increase in “envelope salaries,” unofficial employment, an outflow of foreign investments, and worsening conditions for doing business in Ukraine. The EBA sent a letter to the head of the profile committee, Zavitnevych, with proposals and asked to revise the bill.
Read also: Ukraine developing new system for mobilization deferment – Zelenskyy
The Cabinet of Ministers registered an updated conscription bill on Jan. 30.
The EBA proposed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Feb. 5 to meet, if possible, and discuss the issues that arose with the updated bill.
Ukrainian MPs supported a new conscription bill on Feb. 7 in the first reading, but before it is finally adopted, it must go through several stages, reported MP Oleksiy Honcharenko.
Changes and amendments must be made by Feb. 21. These amendments must then be considered by the National Security Committee and only then put to a vote in the Parliament.
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
