Imagine a construction engineer who spends each day working on the restoration of a damaged school and goes home each evening uncertain whether a military summons may arrive the next day.
For thousands of Ukrainian construction companies, this is not an abstract concern but a daily reality. That is why the issue of workforce reservation for construction enterprises has become one of the industry’s most pressing topics this summer.
On July 3, 2026, updated regulations issued by the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development came into force, introducing new rules for construction companies, transport operators, and businesses in the tourism sector. For public sector clients, local communities, and contractors involved in Ukraine’s recovery efforts, these changes establish new conditions — sometimes stricter, but also clearer — under which companies can retain qualified personnel on critical projects rather than lose them to mobilization.
What Has Changed in the Criticality Criteria for Construction Companies?
The Ministry for Communities and Territories Development approved amendments through Order No. 1260 of June 30, 2026, later supplemented by Order No. 1277 of July 1, 2026.
The changes update the criteria used to identify enterprises, institutions, and organizations that are considered important to the national economy in the fields of aviation, road transport, tourism, and construction during a special period.
The key requirements for construction companies seeking critical enterprise status now include:
- Companies engaged in new construction, reconstruction, restoration, major renovation, or technical modernization of residential, social, engineering, transport, energy, or defense infrastructure must employ at least 20 insured employees who received wages during the latest reporting period and maintain at least two active contracts, each valued at UAH 3 million or more.
- Companies performing construction or maintenance work under contracts commissioned by state authorities, local governments, or municipal utility enterprises serving critical infrastructure must demonstrate at least one contract with a minimum duration of six months and a total value of UAH 5 million or more, while also meeting the requirement of 20 insured employees.
- Companies providing maintenance services for multi-apartment residential buildings must now employ at least 10 insured employees, double the previous requirement.
- Enterprises responsible for protecting critical infrastructure facilities must demonstrate at least two active contracts with a minimum term of three months, valued at UAH 200,000 or more for services or UAH 1.5 million or more for works.
Why Workforce Reservation Matters for Construction Companies
Critical enterprise status is more than an administrative designation.
It enables companies to reserve employees who are liable for military service and retain them in positions that are essential to Ukraine’s recovery and resilience efforts. These workers build shelters, restore hospitals, repair roads used for military logistics, and support other projects that are vital to the country’s functioning.
The updated rules also introduce changes to personnel accounting practices. Beginning July 3, employees who have deferments from mobilization and individuals working for multiple employers can only be counted at one primary place of employment, regardless of how many companies employ them officially.
For construction firms that frequently rely on subcontractors and shared personnel across multiple projects, this change requires significantly more careful workforce management and record-keeping.
What This Means for the Construction Industry and Public Sector Clients
For an industry carrying a substantial share of Ukraine’s reconstruction effort — from schools and hospitals to protective structures and transportation infrastructure — the new criteria send a clear message.
The government wants to see contractors with genuine operational capacity, verified contracts, and stable workforces rather than companies that exist only on paper.
While these requirements raise the threshold for obtaining critical enterprise status, they also provide greater protection for public procurement projects by reducing the risk of unreliable contractors participating in strategically important work.
For responsible contractors, the new framework creates clearer and more predictable rules.
Building Recovery Through Stronger Institutions
At first glance, regulatory changes such as these may appear purely administrative. In reality, they represent another important element of the broader system that enables Ukraine to continue functioning during wartime.
They help ensure that schools are completed, hospitals are restored, shelters are built, and roads remain operational where they are needed most.
While some people draft regulations and policies, others continue their work on construction sites every day — turning plans into infrastructure and helping rebuild the country one project at a time.
Source: ZN.UA
