Debt-free salary: Verkhovna Rada offers new guarantees for employees

Ukrainian workers can receive more guarantees regarding timely payment of wages — the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted in the first reading Bill No. 9510, which provides for a significant strengthening of the protection of their rights, in particular in cases where the employer becomes insolvent.

The relevant information was published on the official website of the parliament. As noted, the initiative is designed to solve the problem of systematic wage arrears, which has intensified against the backdrop of the war and the general economic downturn. The bill aims not only to stimulate employers to disciplined payments, but also to ensure social protection for employees.

One of the key provisions of the bill is the right of an employee to temporarily suspend the performance of labor duties if the salary delay exceeds 15 days. Such a step will not be considered a violation of labor discipline and is a legitimate way to protect personal rights to remuneration.

At the same time, the employer will be obliged to pay a penalty for each day of salary delay. The minimum amount of this penalty is set at the level of the discount rate of the National Bank of Ukraine, which creates a direct financial incentive for timely payments. In addition, employees will be guaranteed compensation in cases where payment is delayed.

Another important innovation is the creation of a special guarantee institution that will cover salary arrears in the event of a company's bankruptcy. It is assumed that employees will be able to receive compensation in the amount of up to three average monthly earnings, but no more than 12 times the minimum wage.

The adoption of this bill is aimed not only at strengthening the labor rights of citizens, but also at preventing the accumulation of debts at enterprises that are in difficult situations. Lawmakers expect that the new rules will contribute to the formation of a more responsible and socially oriented labor market in Ukraine.