Poroshenko proposes cabinet to discuss increase of judges' wages
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has proposed that the Ukrainian government study the increase of salaries of judges. Poroshenko also urged business representatives to make recommendations on judicial reform.
"Poroshenko urges business representatives to provide feedback on the law on judiciary that will be part of a full reboot of the judicial system to the respective working group," the press service of the head of state reported after a meeting of the Ukrainian president with leaders of Ukrainian business and international companies operating in the country.
"Tests are good, but no one will agree to work for UAH 2,000 (per month). Hoping otherwise is pointless. It will only discredit the [judicial] reform," he said.
Poroshenko also said that if the judicial reform is carried out, judges who "grew into their chairs will continue to sit in them and no one will remove them."
The head of state reminded that two months ago he held a meeting with the participation of top managers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, SBU head, interior minister and chairman of the High Council of Justice. They discussed the thorough process of recertification of tests for each judge to avoid formalities.
He said that the key aspect of the reform involves proposed amendments to the constitution.
"Everyone should express their views on the proposed reforms, even if new draft (judicial) reform bills are proposed or conditions are agreed before passing the new law on the judicial system," the president said. He said mothballing existing rules (governing the judiciary) is tantamount to a crime.