• Acceptance of applications for compensation

• Setting a zero duty rate

• In order to reduce the pay gap between women and men

• Ukraine’s right to restrict timber exports has been recognized

• The celebration of the anniversary is postponed

Everything that happened last week in Ukraine and the world and that is relevant for the furniture maker, read in our digest:

1. From Monday in Ukraine the reception of applications of businessmen for compensation that the help was paid before the beginning of January strengthening of quarantine begins. This was stated by the Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Yulia Kovalev.

She reminded that natural persons-entrepreneurs who have paid the single social contribution for at least three months, or employees for whom the SSC is paid by the employer, whose activities will be stopped due to the introduction of lockdown, can claim compensation.

2. From the beginning of next year there will be an opportunity to liberalize and expand the free trade agreement between Ukraine and the countries of the European Union. This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olga Stefanyshyna.

“The renewal of the trade part of the Association Agreement provides for the revocation of quotas for products that we will agree with the European Union, ie the establishment of a zero duty rate regardless of sales volumes. This will primarily affect products with a high degree of processing, “she said.

3. On December 9, Ukraine became the second country to receive full tripartite membership in the International Coalition for Equal Remuneration (ERIS). Joining the Coalition is an important step towards reducing the pay gap between women and men.

It is important for Ukraine to have a positive experience of the countries that have joined ERIS, given the chosen course of European integration. This will allow us to more effectively consolidate the efforts of our executive bodies, trade unions, employers, civil society organizations, and academia to close the pay gap between women and men.

4. Austria, Romania, and some other European countries are restricting deforestation in their mountains in every possible way, but are persistent in their desire for Ukraine to increase the export of raw wood from the Carpathians to their wood processing enterprises. The International Arbitration Group has recognized Ukraine’s right to restrict forest exports. This was announced by Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Trade, and Agriculture Taras Kachka.

The arbitrators acknowledged that Ukraine can and has the right to restrict forest exports under certain circumstances. The existing export ban from 2005 was recognized by the court as completely legal.

5. European Federation of Manufacturers of Woodworking Equipment and Tools – “Eumabois” celebrates its 60th anniversary.

The non-profit federation seeks to improve the provisions of European and international legislation in the field of regulatory requirements, safety requirements, and other legal conditions for manufacturers of woodworking equipment. Given the negative impact of the pandemic on many industries, especially the exhibition, the federation has decided to postpone the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the 2021 General Assembly, which will take place in Vienna.