Farmers in Ukraine's frontline Kherson region have appealed to the government to preserve the possibility of exempting up to 100% of eligible employees from military mobilisation at critically important enterprises. The appeal follows reports of planned amendments to Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 76, which regulates employee exemptions during martial law. According to preliminary information, the proposed changes could introduce additional approvals for exemptions exceeding 50% of staff, revised criticality criteria and stricter enterprise inspections.

Farmers explain that labour shortages are already among the main challenges facing agricultural production in frontline areas. Constant drone attacks, shelling and unsafe travel conditions discourage employees from working in the fields. Farms also suffer losses of machinery, storage facilities and production infrastructure. Under these circumstances, a possible reduction in employee exemptions would create additional risks for field operations and business continuity.

Another concern is the potential requirement to reconfirm critically important enterprise status. Farming representatives report that the previous approval process took almost two months for some businesses. Additional inspections and approvals could increase administrative pressure at a time when enterprises need to maintain uninterrupted operations. Farmers are therefore asking the government not to require early reassessment of their status solely because of potential regulatory changes.

The issue has also received support from the Ukrainian Parliament's agricultural committee. Lawmakers have called for preserving exemptions for up to 100% of eligible employees at critically important enterprises operating in areas of possible or active hostilities, as well as maintaining their existing critical enterprise status until its scheduled expiry. However, the proposed changes to exemption rules should not yet be treated as final or adopted. For agriculture in frontline regions, retaining essential workers remains crucial for planting, harvesting and keeping farms operational.

Sources:

AgroPortal — report on the appeal by Kherson region farmers