UKRAINE LEGAL UPDATE
27 August 2022
Despite martial law, the government agrees to let seamen out of the country, although conditions apply. Those cleared by a local recruitment office should now be able to go abroad for work.
A new regulation allows sailors to leave the country temporarily, for work on merchant ships overseas. The document defines a procedure and conditions for obtaining a right to do so. One requirement is an interview with a local miliary recruitment office, which will have the last word on whether to let the applicant go (except for those operating out of Ukrainian ports).
Given the ongoing conflict with Russia, Ukraine now generally prohibits men from leaving the country. The ban has caused some hardship, especially to those dependent for livelihood on employment abroad. The authorities have been taking steps to gradually ease the restrictions, opening up the borders for men in some occupations.