How can I claim unpaid wages in Ukraine?

Delayed payment of wages is a common occurrence in Ukraine. Many employers may fail to pay their employees their hard-earned wages for months on end. This applies to both state-owned and private sector companies. You can only recover your money through the courts or the Labour Disputes Commission (LDC), but only officially employed staff with a work record book can apply to it.

The process of recovering unpaid wages

Employers who fail to fulfil their obligations towards employees and do not pay wages face various consequences. These may include the company being fined or criminal liability for its manager. Furthermore, a delay in paying wages for a month or more may result in the employer being required to pay financial compensation to the employee.

If an employee resigns from a company where wages are being withheld, then under Ukrainian law, the company is obliged to repay all outstanding wages, as well as compensation for unused holiday leave.

What an employee can do to recover their wages:

• Write and send a formal letter to their employer demanding payment of the debt. They may also remind the employer of their liability for failing to fulfil their obligations.
• If the letter is unsuccessful, they should apply to the Labour Disputes Commission or go straight to court. The Labour Disputes Commission (LDC) considers the application within 10 days; the decision may be appealed within the same period after it has been served on the employee and the employer.
• The employer must comply with the LDC’s order within three days of the expiry of the appeal period.
• If this does not help to recover the debt, the Labour Disputes Commission issues a certificate (claim document), which can be used to apply to the enforcement service.

If you are an employee of a company where wages are being withheld, contact Svarog for help! Qualified specialists will help you get your money back!