Observance of the labour rights of persons who have been deprived of their personal liberty as a result of armed aggression

Abstract

Based on the monitoring of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, the article reveals the state of observance of labour rights of civilian hostages. The article identifies problematic issues that obstruct the realisation of these rights of persons who have been deprived of their personal liberty as a result of armed aggression. It is noted that the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War prohibits the taking of hostages. Failure to comply with the principles of international humanitarian law by representatives of the Russian Federation leads to the inability to ensure the protection of civilian hostages in accordance with international norms due to the unresolved nature of this issue. The Russian Federation, despite international norms, keeps such persons in captivity, does not notify them of their detention, does not provide them with the appropriate status, as a result of which the detained person cannot appeal against his or her detention, has no opportunity to report it.

According to international standards, victims of enforced disappearances have the right to compensation from the state, which provides them with the maximum possible rehabilitation. It is noted that the protection of the constitutional rights of civilian hostages is provided for by the Law of Ukraine “On Social and Legal Protection of Persons in respect of whom the deprivation of personal liberty as a result of armed aggression against Ukraine and members of their families has been established”.

In addition, it is noted that civilian hostages have the right to keep their jobs, but the law does not provide for the payment of wages. The article establishes that it is impossible to properly exercise the labour rights of employees who have become civilian hostages guaranteed by the Constitution of Ukraine. The emphasis is placed on the legislative gaps that do not allow civilian hostages to exercise the guaranteed right to credit their insurance period. The article provides for the crediting of insurance periods to civilian hostages, which affects social guarantees and, subsequently, the level of pension provision. Due to the uncertainty of the payer of the unified social contribution, such credit is not given for persons in respect of whom the deprivation of personal liberty as a result of armed aggression against Ukraine has been established. Deprivation of personal liberty is the basis for postponement or extension of annual leave and is also included in the length of service that gives the right to annual basic leave. Civilian hostages are additionally entitled to a one-time voucher to maintain their competitiveness in the labour market through retraining, specialisation, advanced training, and education in professions and specialities for priority economic activities. It is found that the problem of civilian hostages is closely related to the problem of missing persons. It is proved that there is a need to expand the labour rights of civilian hostages by guaranteeing the payment of wages.