The State Employment Center, headed by Yulia Zhovtyak, has found itself at the center of a scandal over dubious tenders worth tens of millions of hryvnias. An investigation by StopKor journalists showed that the purchases of equipment and services call into question the transparency of the use of budget funds.
In 2023, the Center signed a contract with IT Escort LLC for the supply of server equipment worth almost UAH 80 million. Most of the funds — more than UAH 55 million — were paid immediately after the contract was signed. Journalists drew attention to the fact that the company had previously had problems with the implementation of similar agreements. It is still unknown what exactly was delivered and what condition the equipment is in. Criminal proceedings have been opened on this fact — investigators are investigating a possible collusion between the Center’s officials and the contractor.
Less than six months after this purchase, four more tenders were announced for almost UAH 60 million. Among the winners was a security company that changed its business profile to a cleaning business. The documentation even retained the old logo of the company that previously specialized in security.
In parallel, the Center continues to spend money on updating computer equipment. In the summer, another tender was announced for the purchase of personal computers, and earlier a contract for 2.5 million UAH was signed for monitors. All this is happening against the backdrop of war and the country's limited budget, which raises doubts about the feasibility of such spending.
In a comment to journalists, Yulia Zhovtyak assured that all income and property were declared, the cash was accumulated over many years, and the NACP did not find any violations.
Meanwhile, society is asking the question: while the country is fighting on the front, who controls the financial flows within the state employment system, and whether the fight for money is turning into a new front within the state.
