Legal Classification of Employment Relations of State Bureau of Investigation Personnel

The sectoral affiliation of employment relations concerning personnel of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is examined. The scholarly contributions regarding the classification of service relations within law enforcement agencies are analyzed. Particular attention is given to the labor law status of various categories of SBI employees. It is noted that Ukrainian national legislation classifies SBI personnel into three groups: members of the rank-and-file and commanding staff; civil servants; and individuals who have signed employment contracts (agreements) with the SBI. It is indicated that the labor relations involving the latter group fall within the scope of labor law. Specifically, individuals who have signed an employment contract with the SBI work under the Law of Ukraine “On the State Bureau of Investigation” and the general labor legislation. It is demonstrated that the service of members of the rank-and-file and commanding staff, as well as civil servants, possesses all the fundamental characteristics of dependent, hired labor as defined in legal literature. Therefore, it is proposed that their service be considered a type of dependent, hired labor of a special nature, and the relations arising from such service be recognized as labor relations governed by labor law. It is proposed to amend the Law of Ukraine “On the State Bureau of Investigation” by adding two articles: “Peculiarities of Legal Regulation of Labor Relations of Civil Servants of the State Bureau of Investigation” and “Peculiarities of Legal Regulation of Labor Relations of Employees Who Have Entered into Employment Contracts with the State Bureau of Investigation”. These articles should outline the specifics of labor activity for these categories of employees and include reference provisions to civil service and labor legislation for those aspects of service/work that may be regulated under the general procedure.