The armor is not strong, but our machines are fast - Newspaper Kommersant No. 175 (7376) of 09/22/2022

The armor is not strong, but our machines are fast - Newspaper Kommersant No. 175 (7376) of 09/22/2022



Russian business has begun preparations for a possible mobilization of employees. In many companies, corresponding lists are created, in some - entire specialized departments. At the same time, enterprises are trying to clarify in their supervising ministries to what extent they can count on reservations (conscription ban), and through specialized industry associations - to influence this, proving their own social or strategic importance. Entrepreneurs are also concerned about the fate of their clients, on which the business directly depends.

AT industrial and energy companies, according to Kommersant's interlocutors, immediately after the president's speech, personnel departments began to form lists of employees who are subject to mobilization. For their compilation and interaction with the authorities on this issue, at least some large companies create special mobilization departments.

While the Ministry of Defense has not published the parameters, Kommersant's interlocutors in industrial companies cannot estimate how many employees will be called up. But at least some energy and oil and gas companies expect to get a reservation (conscription ban) for their employees, given the strategic nature of the enterprises they work for. The government must approve the list of enterprises or professions that will be subject to reservations.

A special situation arises in air transportation, since historically many pilots come there from military aviation. According to the interlocutor of Kommersant in one of the major airlines, “strong concern is growing in the staff of pilots about a possible draft.” According to a preliminary assessment by a representative of another airline, about 40% of the pilots in the carrier’s staff are subject to the call: “We do not believe that they will be mobilized, but no confirmation from above has yet been received.”

According to a Kommersant source in the Ministry of Transport, there are “no administrative documents and lists yet” regarding possible reservations for pilots and other employees of civil aviation.

Source in pharmaceutical industry expects that “at least in the first wave” the mobilization will not affect the backbone enterprises, and hopes to receive armor for his company. Pharmaceutical enterprises, Kommersant's interlocutor emphasizes, perform "a socially significant function, producing vital products, so the industry should not be in the forefront in the priority of conscription."

An appeal from local authorities to ensure the presence of employees in the military registration and enlistment offices to clarify the data of military registration has already been received by at least one of agricultural holdings in the Central Chernozem region, an employee of the company told Kommersant. He notes that against the background of the beginning of the autumn sowing of winter crops, the departure of some workers may become a problem. Nadezhda Shkolkina, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Agrarian Issues, does not yet see significant risks in the staffing of agro-industrial enterprises during seasonal field work. According to her, this issue, as well as additional measures to support the agro-industrial complex in today's conditions, the committee plans to discuss with the Ministry of Agriculture next week.

The Ministry of Agriculture itself, as well as the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, did not respond to Kommersant's request. None of the interviewed companies provided an official comment, while some of them referred to the fact that the issues of the mobilization reserve and mobilization activities are state secrets.

In two large banks say that for the banking sector as a whole "no exceptions are expected, since the vast majority of bank employees have higher education, even the front office." According to Kommersant's sources in the market, "only banks associated with the defense industry complex can receive the exemption, but no one will advertise this." At the same time, they believe that "the scale of mobilization will not be visible on the total number of employees."

A large MFI noted that while they are waiting for specifics on those employees who are subject to mobilization, they are consulting with military registration and enlistment offices, assessing a possible reduction in staff and developing strategies for replacing it. So, for IT-employees in the event of a call, it is supposed to keep jobs with the payment of an average wage. Another MFI said that there are "few employees who served in the armed forces or took part in hostilities," but "the situation affects the working mood and business processes."

Andrey Kleimenov, CEO of Eqvanta, adds that among the borrowers there are also those who are subject to mobilization. Therefore, he emphasizes, measures will be required to support such clients, “there are no ready-made work scenarios and recommendations from the regulator on the legality of any actions yet.” The Central Bank is aware of the problem and began to deal with it.

Kommersant's interlocutor in the IT market says that industry consortiums and associations are not just waiting for clarifications, but are already preparing proposals and questions from the Ministry of Digital Development (they do not comment on the situation there) and the Ministry of Industry and Trade about whether it is possible to provide an exception for their specialists in terms of mobilization. In particular, the Kommersant source says, we are talking about ARPP "Domestic Soft", the Association of Computer and Information Technology Enterprises, the Association of Developers and Manufacturers of Electronics.

The fact is that the status of IT specialists is not entirely clear. On the one hand, they have an official deferment from conscription. The measure was proposed by the Ministry of Digital Development after the first wave of emigration caused by the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine. Since April, the norm has been applied to university graduates in a number of technical specialties working in organizations accredited by the Ministry of Digital Development. Other requirements are also imposed on employees: by age (from 22 years old), the period of work in the company or the conclusion of an employment contract.

According to the April data of the Ministry of Digital Development, about 7.7 thousand people received a deferment from the spring draft. About 1,000 people whose data was submitted by IT companies did not meet the conditions of the program. But, as Kommersant's interlocutor in one of the associations explains, it is now legally unclear whether the delay during the mobilization period applies to employees who have already served in the armed forces: "We are consulting with the Ministry of Digital Development, there is no understanding yet."

According to the executive director of the Association of Developers and Manufacturers of Electronics Ivan Pokrovsky, the association is preparing a proposal to grant a deferral from conscription for employees of the electronics industry, including manufacturers of computers, microelectronics, telecommunications equipment, and so on: “The electronics industry ensures the stability of the infrastructure of the country and other industries, including the defense complex of the Russian Federation. Proposals are planned to be sent to the Ministry of Digital Development on September 22.

Business block "Kommersant"



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