Ukraine is studying the possibility of allowing its citizens avoid mobilization in exchange for a greater contribution to the state budgetin an attempt to find the right balance between guaranteeing enough soldiers for the Army and resources to pay for the defense of the country and an enlistment during martial law that is considered fair.
The Ukrainian Parliament is preparing to review three bills presented by the president of its Economy Commission, Dmitro Natalujawhich provide for the so-called exemption or “economic reserve” for employees and individual entrepreneurs.
Thus, companies will be able to “reserve” their especially valuable employees by paying an additional sum to the state budget of about 470 euros per month for each one or when the salary is equal to or greater than 840 eurossince the taxes in this case are already high.
Economic benefits
Supporters of the idea argue that it would help limit the growing labor shortage in Ukraine, caused by emigration and mobilization, which 58% of companies indicate as the main problem.
According to Ukrainian European Business Associationthe measure would complement the current reserve mechanism, which is based, among other measures, on mobilization quotas in various sectors considered the most important and is often criticized for its lack of transparency and predictability.
The “economic reserve” would ensure that companies continued to operate, thus boosting the economy and contributing to the financing of the Army, the companies argue.
Currently the state finances its defense against the Russian invasion solely from its own revenues, while money contributed by allies directly to the state budget can only be spent on “civilian” purposes.
According to the Government, at least 11.5 billion more euros need to be found in 2024.
Nataluja maintains that her idea can contribute between 4.6 billion and 7.4 billion euros to the budgetwhich would help equip and pay the soldiers who are being mobilized now.
The fate of the proposals depends on the support they obtain in society based on their impact on the mobilization.
Justice versus transparency
Vitali, a 35-year-old computer scientist from the city of Lviv, has barely left his apartment in the last half year for fear of meeting representatives of the recruitment center on the street.
Since the country currently needs more soldiers on the battlefield, he fears that he will be sent to an Infantry unit and be injured or killed.
With some monthly income much higher than 400 eurosthe average salary in the country, Vitali says he would be happy to pay to avoid military service, in addition to the frequent direct donations to the Ukrainian military he currently makes.
“I would know that I am not doing anything wrong from a legal point of view, I would support our defense effort and I could finally live without fear,” he explains to EFE.
However, for many soldiers and veterans, the introduction of a “economic reserve” It would be a serious blow to national unity and the image of the Army.
“It is the principle of social justice that differentiates us from our enemy. We are all equal before the law, in the Army we are all equal and all sectors of the population must enlist,” Oleg Simoroz argues on local television “Express”. a well-known veteran who lost both legs in combat.
Simoroz points out that such “discrimination based on property” or personal wealth has no place in “a civilized democracy.”
According to him, the idea undermines long-term efforts for military service to be considered “prestigious” and that the government should instead raise taxes on oligarchs and optimize its own spending to find more funds.
Those who defend the proposals point out, however, that the veteran ignores that some pay bribes to avoid mobilization or have difficulties due to the absence of clear rules on exemption from mobilization.
They believe that the “economic reserve” would make mobilization more transparent and would also benefit the Army.
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