Briefly: why this matters

Media reports have appeared claiming that the new Labor Code supposedly shortens "maternity leave" to four months. This is misleading and creates unnecessary alarm among families. The real substance of the changes is different, and it is important for every working family and employer.

What is not true

Claims that "maternity leave is being shortened to four months" are false. The Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture has directly refuted such reports: different types of leave are being mixed together and presented as a single replacement.

"The authors of such information mix different types of leave that have different purposes"

— Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture

What the draft actually proposes

Key facts from the Draft Labor Code (No. 14386):

• Paid leave related to pregnancy and childbirth remains unchanged — 126 calendar days (70 before birth and 56 after).
• Childcare leave up to three years is also retained with the right to keep the job and payment of the Unified Social Contribution (USC).
• A new paid type of leave lasting 4 months is introduced: 2 months for the mother and 2 months for the father. A parent cannot transfer their portion to the other parent; single parents may use all four months.
• Under the EU directive, the right to such leave can be exercised until the child reaches 8 years of age.
• The leave can be used simultaneously or in a way convenient for the parents; each parent may split their portion into segments.

"Draft Labor Code No. 14386, which the Committee on Social Policy and Protection of Veterans recommended adopting as a basis, provides for the introduction of an additional type of leave for caring for a child"

— Press Service of the Verkhovna Rada

Guarantees for families — what is retained

The draft also enshrines a number of social protections:

• a ban on dismissing employees with children up to 1.5 years old and employees who care for a child with a disability;
• protection for single mothers and fathers with a child up to 14 years old;
• guarantees for pregnant women regarding paid medical examinations.

Context and consequences for families and employers

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the draft on 7 January 2026, and on 15 January it was registered in parliament. The document contains 322 articles and is intended to replace a number of existing norms, including the Code of Labor Laws. This is part of a major labor market reform that brings Ukrainian legislation closer to European standards.

Why this matters to you: for parents — additional paid months mean greater flexibility and financial support; for employers — a need to review HR policies and replacement planning. For the state — it is an investment in social stability and demographic policy at a time when family support strengthens the country’s economic resilience.

Summary

Panic headlines do not replace analysis. The fact: the full maternity leave and the leave up to three years remain, while a separate paid 4-month option for parents appears. Next — decisions by parliament and possible amendments during discussion. It is important to follow the wording of amendments and how they will affect family rights.