The authorities have proposed banning refusals to work because of military service.

The State Legal Administration (GPU) under the President of Russia proposed amending the Labor Code and prohibiting employers from refusing employment due to the fact that the applicant served in the army or has a disability. This is stated in the table of amendments prepared for consideration by the working group of the State Duma committee, which I have read RBC.

Currently, according to the Labor Code, an employer cannot refuse employment because of gender, race, skin color, nationality, language, origin, as well as property, family and social status. The GPU proposes to add to this also military service and disability.

It is proposed to prohibit denying employment to those who have completed compulsory or contract service for a year from the end of their term in the army. This category of citizens will also include people who completed their service as part of mobilization and were in volunteer formations. It will also be prohibited to refuse employment to people with disabilities, but in cases where the person has no medical contraindications to performing such work.

The initiative was partially supported by the Ministry of Labor. The GPU also proposed to provide guarantees to certain categories of workers for the period of mobilization. The position of the Ministry of Labor states that issues of regulating conscription during the period of mobilization or in wartime cannot be attributed to the issue of labor legislation.

In May 2023, a bill was introduced to the State Duma that proposes to fine employers for employing draft dodgers. For citizens it was proposed to introduce a fine in the amount of 10 thousand to 20 thousand rubles, for individual entrepreneurs – from 5 thousand to 10 thousand rubles, and for legal entities – from 50 thousand to 100 thousand rubles. In October, the State Duma rejected the bill.

Read about what happens after the entry of Russian troops into Ukraine in online broadcasts “Ъ”.