PECULIARITIES OF WOMEN'S INVOLVEMENT IN HAZARDOUS OR STRENUOUS WORK DURING MARTIAL LAW

Purpose. The purpose of the study is to analyze the peculiarities of legal regulation regarding the involvement of women in hazardous, dangerous, or arduous working conditions, including underground work, during martial law. The research aims to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities for harmonizing current norms with international standards while ensuring a balance between economic needs and adherence to occupational health and safety standards. Design/methodology/approach. The study employs an interdisciplinary approach that combines the analysis of historical aspects, modern regulatory acts of Ukraine, and international labor standards. The methods include system analysis, comparative legal analysis. Practical cases of employers adaptation to new norms under crisis conditions are also examined. Findings. The study reveals that legislative changes introduced during martial law aim to increase the flexibility of labor relations but also pose risks for ensuring occupational safety and health for women. It was found that involving women in hazardous work is feasible only under strict compliance with health protection requirements, which necessitates the development of additional monitoring mechanisms. Harmonization of national legislation with international standards remains a crucial direction to prevent discrimination and ensure sustainable development of labor law. Research limitations/implications. The research is limited to analyzing the legal framework and practices within the context of crisis conditions under martial law. This may affect the applicability of the findings in peacetime. Further research should include a broader spectrum of international experiences and empirical data on the impact of such changes on female workers and employers. Practical implications. The results can be used to improve the regulatory framework and develop practical recommendations for employers and government agencies to ensure the safety of women working under challenging conditions. These findings can also enhance monitoring and compliance mechanisms for labor rights protection during crises. Originality/value. This study is among the first to systematically analyze the legal regulation of women's labor in challenging conditions during martial law. Its findings contribute to the development of new approaches for adapting labor legislation in crisis situations, particularly in the protection of women's labor rights, ensuring their safety and health, and harmonizing national norms with international standards.