LABOR LAW IN UKRAINE

The U.S. State Department offers the following description of the labor laws of Ukraine in its report on Ukrainian economic policy:

e. Acceptable Conditions of Work: The Labor Code provides for a maximum 40-hour workweek, a 24-hour day of rest per week, and at least 24 days of paid vacation per year. The law contains occupational safety and health standards, but these are frequently ignored in practice. In 1997, 1,646 people were killed and 51,888 injured in accidents at work, with an equally high figure projected for 1998. In theory, workers have a legal right to remove themselves from dangerous work situations without jeopardizing continued employment. Independent trade unionists have reported, however, that asserting this right would result in retaliation or perhaps dismissal by management.

f. Rights in Sectors with U.S. Investment: Enterprises with U.S. investment frequently offer higher salaries and are more observant of regulations than their domestic counterparts. Otherwise, conditions do not differ significantly in sectors with U.S. investment from those in the economy in general.