Everyday protection: how labour contract kept Rivne oblast worker’s job
More than 2 million Ukrainians lost their jobs or went on forced leave during the quarantine in 2020. Those who worked undeclared were hit most because only a labour contract guarantees worker protection against unlawful dismissal and provides unemployment compensations.
As part of the State Labour Service's “Go to Light!” information campaign, labour inspectors helped a female worker from Rivne oblast to conclude a labour contract and to keep her job during the current quarantine.
Kateryna (name changed) worked for a few years without her employment relationship formalized. The wage was paid to her in cash in hand. When the quarantine began in spring 2020, the work was stopped, and she had to go on unpaid leave.
The quarantine restrictions and impossibility to work made me realize well what the lack of a stable wage means. I regretted very much that I was working undeclared,"
Kateryna says.
A lifeline arrived to her in the form of a labour inspectors’ visit to her employer. They explained to him the obligation to formalize the employment relationship with his worker and gave him some time to rectify the violations to avoid a fine.
The employer immediately proposed a labour contract be concluded. The decision to formalize my employment relationship was very timely because now I am sure of being socially protected in case of new quarantine restrictions,"
Kateryna admits.
Now, she receives her wage to her card account twice a month, and its amount is the same as before the employment relationship formalization.
Read more about declared work benefits at the SLS website. If you need advice, approach a labour inspector.
