Thinking about future: how Mariupol worker takes cares of her decent pension

Within the framework of the State Labour Service's “Go to Light!” information campaign, labour inspectors talked with a worker from Donetsk oblast who recently concluded a labour contract and is already feeling the benefits of declared work.


Tetiana is 54. She works as a saleswoman at a clothes shop in Mariupol. In July 2020, her employer concluded a labour contract with her and started paying taxes and the single social contribution scrupulously.

“It’s a pleasure recognizing myself as a worker with rights and social guarantees, rather than only with obligations. I received sick pay for the first time in years. Until recently, I had to take an unpaid leave or hope for my employer’s benevolence. These feelings cannot be compared: asking and waiting; or receiving what I am entitled to, as provided by law. I feel really protected now,"

Tetiana says

In a short while, Tetiana will reach pension age. There is no chance to expect assistance from relatives. Therefore, the formal worker status makes her confident about the future. Indeed, only declared work allows one to earn service record years, and only official wage has a bearing on the future pension size.

“I hope that formalization of the employment relationship will have an impact on the future pension size increase. I want very much to be able to live decently in older age,"

Tetiana admits

Read more about declared work benefits at the SLS website. If you need advice, approach a labour inspector.

The “Go to Light!” information campaign is supported by the EU-ILO Project “Towards safe, healthy and declared work in Ukraine”.

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