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In early 2021, the Ukrainian language will finally receive the status of the only state language of Ukraine.
In Ukraine, Article 30 of the Law will soon enter into force to ensure the functioning of the Ukrainian language as a state language, which will ensure the final transition of the service sector to the state language. For violation of the new rule, a fine is provided. Correspondent.net says the details.
The only state
The Verkhovna Rada adopted the law to ensure the functioning of the Ukrainian language as a state language on April 25, 2019, even before the inauguration of Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It entered into force on July 16, 2019.
The law establishes the position of the Ukrainian language as the only state (official) language in Ukraine. Since then, it has been mandatory for public authorities and public spheres throughout Ukraine.
Public humiliation or neglect of the Ukrainian language will be the basis for taking legal responsibility. The deliberate distortion of the Ukrainian language in official documents and texts, or the creation of obstacles and restrictions on the use of the Ukrainian language will also be sanctioned.
In addition, the law requires officials to know the state language and use it in the performance of their official duties.
In addition, the Ukrainian language should be used in education and labor relations, in the medical field, consumer services, at public events, advertising and other areas.
For the service sector, they made an exception and gave time to prepare. All service providers, regardless of ownership, will be required to serve consumers and provide information on goods and services in Ukrainian as of January 16, 2021.
Therefore, supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, banks, pharmacies, gas stations, gyms, libraries or online stores must serve customers in Ukrainian.
Service in another language is allowed at the request of the customer, provided that this language is acceptable to the service provider.
In Ukrainian, information on price tags, instructions, specifications, brands, tickets, menus, etc. should be provided. At the same time, the information can be duplicated in other languages.
The sites will also need to be translated and the consumer can switch to the Russian version at will. However, first of all, you should get to the Ukrainian version.
In the event of systematic violations of linguistic legislation as of January 16, 2021, the Secretariat of the Ombudsman’s Office for the Protection of the State’s Language may fine the company.
“If such violations are repeated throughout the year and are systemic in nature, we have the right to impose a fine. It would seem that for someone this amount is small (from 5.1 thousand to 6.8 thousand hryvnia), but it will not exceed in business pockets as well as reputation. And this is exactly what has accumulated over the years, “said language ombudsman Taras Kremen.
The Ombudsman for the Protection of the State’s Language and his representatives will supervise the implementation of the law.
Controllers can:
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Require copies of documents and other information related to the control issue. The response must be provided within 30 days.
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freely visit public authorities, the authorities of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, local self-government bodies, attend their meetings in accordance with the requirements of the law
If you do not provide a response to the language ombudsman’s request, your representative will reapply to that issue. In the event of repeated refusal to provide or repeatedly not providing the relevant copies of documents or information, the Ombudsman will apply a sanction in accordance with the law.
In December 2020, a bill was registered in the Verkhovna Rada, which aims to abolish the rule on fines for the service sector if it does not change to Ukrainian from January 16 next year. The text of the bill itself and the explanatory note are not on the Rada website.
Is it forbidden to speak other languages?
This law does not apply to the field of private communication and the performance of religious rites.
The law does not provide criminal liability for their violation. However, violations of citizens’ rights to receive services in Ukrainian in state institutions and public spheres defined by law will be punished with fines. The maximum amount of the fine will be 11.9 thousand UAH. These rules will take effect in three years.
Previously, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a plan for the implementation of the first stage of the Strategy for the popularization of the Ukrainian language until 2022. According to the plan, attention will be paid to the issue of ensuring strict compliance with the legislation by educational institutions regarding the implementation of the educational process in the state language.
On an ongoing basis, measures will be taken to improve the level of knowledge of the Ukrainian language of pedagogical and scientific-pedagogical workers, to provide educational institutions with literature in the Ukrainian language.
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