Preferential Pension for Tin-Plating (Galvanizing) Operators in Ukraine
Retirement is an issue that is constantly discussed in society at various levels. Unfortunately, most citizens are unaware of even the basic aspects, such as the retirement age, the required length of insurance record, where to submit documents for a pension, what documents are required, etc. Sometimes prospective pensioners are surprised to discover that they could have retired earlier than the standard retirement age.
As a general rule, retirement is possible upon reaching the age of 60 and having at least 28 years of insurance record (for those retiring in 2021). However, there are certain occupations for which the government has reduced the retirement age and the required insurance record due to the adverse effects of such work on a person’s health.
One such occupation is an electrolytic tin-plating (galvanizing) operator. The duties of such workers include carrying out the continuous electrolytic tin-plating or galvanizing of coiled strip material together with a higher-qualified operator; centering strips along the longitudinal axis of the unit; weighing, adjusting the position and replacing anodes; determining the quality of solutions in baths; monitoring the quality of degreasing, pickling, tin-plating and galvanizing; ensuring the continuous circulation and filtration of the electrolyte; and maintaining a constant level of solutions in all baths and in the brush-washing machine, among other duties.
Considering these working conditions, a tin-plating (galvanizing) operator may retire upon reaching the age of 50, provided that the worker has at least 25 years of insurance record (at least 20 years for women), including at least 10 years (7 years and 6 months for women) of employment as a tin-plating operator or in another occupation qualifying for preferential retirement under the relevant statutory list.
The most difficult aspect of obtaining a preferential pension is proving the required preferential service record. Those whose employment record books contain properly completed entries may not need to obtain additional certificates confirming their employment history. However, employees of the Pension Fund sometimes require additional certificates even where there is no legal need for them. If it is impossible to obtain such a certificate, the Pension Fund of Ukraine may refuse to grant a pension on the grounds that the preferential service record has not been sufficiently confirmed.
However, such a refusal does not mean that it is impossible to obtain a pension through court proceedings. The Supreme Court has repeatedly stated that where the entries in an employment record book make it possible to establish the preferential nature of the work performed, an unjustified requirement by the Pension Fund of Ukraine to provide additional documents may be unlawful and violate the applicant’s rights.
Therefore, if the Pension Fund of Ukraine refuses to grant a pension, this does not necessarily mean that the matter is closed. It is advisable to consult a lawyer who can review your documents and the decision refusing to grant the pension and recommend the most appropriate way to protect your pension rights.
