Remote Work in Labor Law

Remote of distance work – this concept have already become firmly established in our life. Technological progress is progressing rapidly, high-speed Internet allows online meetings, conferences. A number of employees of organizations and institutions are currently able to fulfill their duties while at home. The past year, the pandemic and related quarantine measures accelerated the process of creating conditions for remote work and study in our republic. Changes were required in the legislation in parallel with this, since in many basic laws until now the concept of remote work was absent. Amendments and additions to the Labor Code of the PMR were adopted in the final reading at the last plenary session. All aspects of telecommuting will now be taken into account in labor legislation.

The new norms of the law divide remote work into types depending on the duration. A new type of remote work is being introduced – temporary. The procedure for interaction between the employee and the employer will be simplified. It will become easier to arrange remote work and exchange electronic documents. The Labor Code will now take into account the specifics of the working hours and rest hours of an employee who works remotely. The conditions and procedure for calling an employee performing remote work temporarily to a stationary workplace will be determined. This category of workers will receive additional guarantees for wages. A separate article of the law stipulates that an employee's performance of his work remotely cannot be a reason for reducing wages. The basic law was supplemented with provisions on the specifics of labor organization and labor protection of remote workers. The Supreme Council adopted the law-in-draft in the final reading. The document has been sent to the President for signature.

The deputy corps at the last plenary session supported the proposal of the PMR President to extend quarantine restrictions in our republic related to the spread of coronavirus infection until October 1, 2021.