New rights will allow you to receive your salary arrears even after several years
A new bill has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, which has the potential to change the balance of power between employees and employers significantly. If it is adopted, the issue of demanding the recovery of wages will be of an indefinite nature – Ukrainians will be able to renew their rights to wages at any time.
Bill No. 13664 provides for amendments to Article 233 of the Labor Code of Ukraine, abolishing the existing three-month limitation for filing claims for wage arrears. This means that:
- The time limit for employees to defend their rights in court is reduced, since the following terms were previously in effect:
- a three-month term for recovering wages;
- one month for claims in the event of unlawful dismissal;
- three months for financial claims after dismissal.
Such short terms often put people in difficult situations – many did not know their rights or were afraid to go to court, and when they dared, they found themselves in a “late” situation.
The proposed amendments could become an essential tool for protecting workers’ rights. If the law is adopted, then:
- wage debts will not “burn out” over time;
- every Ukrainian will be able to claim their money even after many years;
- employers are obliged to adhere to transparent and honest financial practices.
Lawyers note that this law will be a significant step towards fairness in the labor market. However, employers express concerns about a potential increase in the number of lawsuits and the associated financial burden.
At the moment, the draft law is at the stage of registration in the Verkhovna Rada. Deputies intend to discuss it in committees and then put it to a vote in the session hall. If the project receives support, Ukrainians will be able to exercise their labor rights without any time limits.
