Odesa Mayor Warns of 50% Driver Shortage Amid New Military Reservation Rules

Private carriers in Odesa have found themselves in a difficult situation due to changes in the status of critical enterprises determined by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine's resolution of November 22, 2024.

This was stated by Odesa Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov during a meeting at the City Hall with representatives of Odesa carriers.

The new salary requirements make it impossible to book drivers, which jeopardizes the stable operation of public transport. According to the mayor, the shortage of drivers has already reached a critical level of 50%.

"We recognize the importance of mobilization, but the realities of public transport in Odesa require immediate and balanced solutions. I am asking for clarification and joint responsibility for the transport future of Odesa and hundreds of other cities in Ukraine," said Odesa Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov. He appealed for explanations to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

The resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers, to which the mayor refers, stipulates that the number of persons liable for military service subject to reservation may exceed 50% by a separate decision of the Minister of Defense. Persons liable for military service who hold positions at a critical enterprise or in a critical institution and whose accrued salary in each month of the last reporting period (quarter) is lower than the national minimum wage multiplied by a factor of 2.5 are not subject to reservation.

It should be noted that during the meeting on November 15, 2024, the government updated the reservation criteria and criteria for obtaining criticality. It was then, in particular, that it was decided that the accrued average salary in the company and for the booked employee should be at least 2.5 minimum wages. The Prime Minister emphasized that this would reduce the risk of abuse when companies hire a person for a "shadow" booking arrangement.

Кирило Бойко