Thousands of Reserved Jobs: Which Ukrainians Can Avoid Conscription.

Ukraine's Mobilization Drive

According to TSN.ua: Ukraine continues its military mobilization, calling up all eligible men except those granted deferrals or job reservations. This reservation system shields workers at critical enterprises and government bodies, serving as a key wartime measure to keep essential sectors running.

Who Qualifies for a Reservation

As of March 2026, the following groups are eligible for job reservations:

• Employees of state authorities,
• Workers in the defense-industrial complex,
• Personnel in energy, transport, and telecommunications,
• Staff at strategically important private companies.

Starting January 1, 2026, the criteria for obtaining a reservation were updated. One key change: the average salary of employees must now be at least 21,617.5 hryvnias. This adjustment aims to sustain businesses that play a vital role in keeping the economy afloat during the mobilization period.

Reservations are only available for officially registered employees whose data is current in the 'Oberih' registry. This strict condition helps monitor the number of reserved workers and prevents abuse of the system. Additionally, job portals have launched a dedicated section for positions that come with a reservation, signaling a surge in demand for such specialists.

Overall, thousands of reserved positions are now available across more than 30 job categories. This opens up employment opportunities amid mobilization, as the need for skilled workers in critical economic sectors remains high. The law also allows companies to reserve employees with unverified military records if they work at strategically important enterprises, broadening the talent pool.

In essence, the employee reservation system is a vital tool for maintaining stability at Ukraine's critical enterprises during mobilization. As legislation and labor market demands evolve, this framework aims to preserve the country's economic foundation and retain necessary human resources.

Wartime Ukraine must keep its essential economic sectors operational, and the employee reservation system is one mechanism to achieve that goal.

It not only bolsters businesses but also offers job prospects for those who meet the updated criteria. The legislative changes governing reservations reflect the state's adaptation to new challenges arising from the mobilization effort.