Social and labor rights of war veterans

Abstract

Abstract. The article is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of Ukraine’s state policy on supporting war veterans and mobilized persons in the context of the contemporary challenges of martial law. It examines legal, tax, social, and budgetary mechanisms aimed at ensuring the social and economic stability of veterans, their professional adaptation, and integration into civilian life. The authors emphasize the role of labor law and employment institutions in facilitating veterans’ reintegration into the labor market, as well as the importance of non-standard employment and entrepreneurial activities as means of professional self-realization. Special attention is paid to state programs, grant initiatives, and legislative measures that create incentives for veteran entrepreneurship and the development of corresponding support infrastructure. The article also addresses the process of updating tax and social legislation, establishing preferences for veterans, simplifying tax administration, and supporting self-employed individuals, which minimizes financial risks and contributes to the stability of their activities. The authors stress the importance of monitoring the implementation of benefits, a systematic approach to assistance, and strategic planning for the development of veteran businesses. It is highlighted that integrating veterans into economic and social life through a combination of legal guarantees, financial incentives, and entrepreneurial support contributes not only to their self-realization but also to enhancing the economic and social role of veterans and their family members in the state. The article analyzes current legislation, draft laws, and state programs that ensure a comprehensive approach to veteran support and concludes on the necessity to improve legislative and financial-budgetary mechanisms to increase the efficiency of state policy in this area. Problem Statement. The article addresses the modern challenges and difficulties that war veterans face during their return to civilian life and integration into Ukraine’s socio-economic environment. Despite the existence of legal, social, and economic guarantees, ensuring the full realization of veterans’ rights is complicated by several factors. These include the instability and heterogeneity of the labor market, limited professional training and adaptation to civilian employment, insufficient financial and social support in certain regions, and restricted opportunities for developing one’s own business. Particular attention is given to the impact of martial law on veterans’ labor rights and economic guarantees, including job security, average earnings, and preferential taxation. Under martial law, specific legal and administrative restrictions arise, for example, regarding collective labor procedures, access to social and tax benefits, and simplified financial provision systems. This creates the risk of incomplete or delayed fulfillment of state obligations to veterans, which, in turn, complicates their social and economic integration. The study also highlights the imperfection of legislation regulating veteran entrepreneurship and state support mechanisms, underscoring the need for a systematic approach to forming comprehensive measures that integrate tax, social, and financial incentives. The scientific and practical significance of the research lies in identifying ways to enhance the effectiveness of veterans’ rights realization, creating conditions for their professional self-realization and economic activity, and improving state policy regarding veteran business and support for mobilized citizens. Thus, the core problem lies in ensuring a comprehensive, timely, and effective system of support for war veterans that combines legal, economic, and social mechanisms aimed at adapting them to civilian life, integrating into the labor market, and developing entrepreneurial activity under martial law and after its cessation. Analysis of recent research and publications. Analysis of recent research on the topic indicates the relevance of issues related to the social, legal, and economic support of war veterans in Ukraine, particularly regarding their integration into civilian life and the development of veteran entrepreneurship. Sheverdina V. I. provides an analysis of the current legal foundations for the social security of combatants and veterans [1]. Selivanova I. A. examines state policy on the social integration of war veterans, identifying the challenges and prospects of its implementation [2]. Kozlov O. V. studies the regulatory and legal aspects of the social protection system for military personnel and veterans [3]. Sidorenko A. O. focuses on protecting the rights of military family members and provides practical recommendations for improving social support [4][7]. Legislative sources, such as the Law of Ukraine “On Social and Legal Protection of Servicemen and Members of Their Families” [5][6][10], the Law of Ukraine “On the Status of War Veterans and Guarantees of Their Social Protection” [9][12], and the Labor Code of Ukraine [8], provide a legal basis for the implementation of guarantees and benefits. Resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine [11][13] regulate the social and professional adaptation of veterans, as well as their psychological, physical, and professional rehabilitation. Additionally, the experience of implementing state programs and initiatives, such as “e-Robota” [16] and the activities of the Ukrainian Veteran Fund [17], is important as they aim to support veterans’ entrepreneurial and social activity. Overall, these studies and legislative acts create a comprehensive foundation for analyzing state policy in the field of social and economic support for war veterans, allowing the identification of key directions for further improvement of legislation, financial support, and the development of veteran entrepreneurship. The aim of the article is to study the system of social, economic, and legal support for war veterans, in particular the mechanisms for their professional adaptation, integration into civilian life, and development of veteran entrepreneurship under martial law conditions. Article’s Main Body. The study provides a detailed examination of the Ukrainian state policy regarding the social, economic, and legal support of war veterans, emphasizing mechanisms for their professional adaptation, integration into civilian life, and promotion of veteran entrepreneurship under martial law conditions. The analysis covers legislative, regulatory, and programmatic frameworks that ensure veterans’ social protection, economic stability, and access to employment opportunities. Labor rights and employment institutions are highlighted as crucial tools for facilitating veterans’ return to the labor market. The research emphasizes the importance of flexible employment arrangements, non-standard jobs, and entrepreneurial initiatives as instruments for professional self-realization and economic activity. Special attention is given to state programs, grant initiatives, and legislative measures that create stimulating conditions for veteran entrepreneurship and the development of supporting infrastructure. The study also explores the modernization of tax and social legislation, preferential conditions for veterans, simplification of tax administration, and support for self-employed individuals, all of which contribute to minimizing financial risks and enhancing stability. Challenges related to labor market instability, limited professional training, regional disparities in social and financial support, and constraints on private business development are analyzed. Martial law introduces specific legal and administrative limitations affecting labor rights and economic guarantees, including job retention, average earnings, preferential taxation, access to collective labor processes, and simplified financial support systems. These conditions may hinder the timely or full execution of state obligations toward veterans, complicating their social and economic integration. The article underscores the importance of monitoring benefit implementation, applying a systematic approach to support measures, and strategically planning veteran business development. Integration of veterans into economic and social life through a combination of legal guarantees, financial incentives, and entrepreneurship support fosters not only personal self-realization but also strengthens the economic and social role of veterans and their families. The study concludes that a comprehensive, timely, and efficient support system combining legal, economic, and social mechanisms is essential to ensure veterans’ adaptation to civilian life, labor market integration, and entrepreneurial development during and after martial law. Conclusions and Prospects for Development. The study shows that supporting war veterans requires an integrated approach combining legal, social, and economic measures. Existing mechanisms provide a foundation for professional adaptation, economic activity, and integration into civilian life, but challenges such as labor market instability, limited training, and regional disparities remain. Enhancing support involves improving legislation, financial and tax incentives, and fostering veteran entrepreneurship. Continuous monitoring and coordinated state programs are key to ensuring effective implementation and long-term development.