Cabinet resolution on changing reservation procedure still being coordinated, Rada committee opposes lowering defense industry quotas – MP Friz

On Thursday, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence discussed the cabinet's plan to alter the reservation system for defense and energy enterprises. Committee member Iryna Friz, representing the European Solidarity faction, highlighted the dangers of reducing employee reservation quotas for military-industrial complex (MIC) businesses.

The committee emphasized that lowering quotas to 85% for defense and energy sectors, and 60% for heat and water supply enterprises, poses risks to the stable operation of both defense industry and critical infrastructure. Friz noted that the final text of the Cabinet resolution is still under coordination and that proposed percentage reductions lack methodological calculations and consequence modeling.

She also pointed out that the government did not provide exhaustive arguments for establishing a Coordination Center, which could lead to delays in reservation procedures for MIC, energy, and critical infrastructure enterprises. The parliamentary national security committee members did not receive comprehensive information about the Coordination Center's functionality and powers.

Additionally, a group of MPs from various factions called on Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky to cancel plans for the Coordination Center, citing potential delays in reservation processes. The draft government resolution stated that without a positive recommendation from the Coordination Center, enterprises would not be able to secure the status of critically important or a reservation quota exceeding 50%.

The Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs (SUP) also opposed the tightening of restrictions on conscript reservations without prior impact assessment and discussion with business.