Duma Advances Job-Protection Bill, Previews Wider Benefits Plan for SVO Veterans

Overview

• The State Duma labor and veterans committee approved for first reading a draft amending Article 179 of the Labor Code to give SVO veterans priority to keep their jobs during staff reductions.
• The proposal extends protections to workers who returned after contracts were suspended for mobilization or contract service, including those assigned to the National Guard.
• Committee members led by Yaroslav Nilov authored the labor amendment, framing it as recognition of heightened risk and a step toward smoother civilian reintegration.
• A separate group led by Dmitry Gusev plans to submit changes to the federal law on veterans that would add departmental badges, priority sanatorium vouchers, garden-plot priority, residential phone installation, flexible vacation timing, and a monthly 800‑ruble payment.
• Proponents argue federal baselines are needed because current benefits vary by region, and both initiatives remain at early parliamentary stages requiring further readings and approvals.