Ukrainian migrants face challenges in Europe labour market

Many of those fleeing Ukraine are highly educated or have badly needed skills but still struggle to find suitable employment in the EU.

European countries have not fully taken advantage of the potential to fill workforce gaps posed by the arrival of millions of Ukrainian refugees.

Following Russia’s invasion in February 2022, an influx of migrants crossed the border, which should have benefited the eastern European nations where severe labour shortages have long slowed economic growth and spurred inflation.

However, barriers such as a shortage of childcare facilities and refusal to recognise academic and vocational credentials from outside of the EU have left open positions and dissatisfied the new immigrants, who are mainly female.

Non-valid Ukrainian documents for Europe

Many Ukrainian refugees work at levels under their degree and skill levels, with no longer-term career prospects.

As reported by Reuters, soon after escaping with her two children, Svitlana Chuhil applied for a conditional permit to practise as an orthopaedic physician and physiotherapist in Poland. She was informed that her application needed a crucial document trapped in Ukraine in a Russia-occupied area more than a year later.

The 37-year-old, who has degrees in orthopaedics, physiotherapy, and organisational management, began an internship at a social welfare institution a month after moving to Poland, earning 1,400 zlotys ($353.15) per month, or roughly half the local minimum wage at the time.

According to a poll conducted in October by the consulting firm Deloitte, Poland’s employment market is among the most tightly controlled in the European Union.

“Without having my degrees validated, I couldn’t get a job as a doctor or physiotherapist,” Chuhil told Reuters.

OECD position regarding labour shortage in Europe

According to the OECD think tank, if this most recent wave of refugees is effectively assimilated, Europe’s workforce might increase by 0.5 percentage points, easing the labour shortages blamed for Europe’s persistently high inflation.

Many Ukrainians work in the EU countries on seasonal, temporary or part-time contracts rather than long-term engagements.

For the European Union countries, it is crucial to implement the second tier of labour market integration, taking into account professional adaption, skill development, and qualification recognition.

Labour situation for Ukrainians in Germany, the largest economy in Europe

The number of available positions in Germany, the largest economy in Europe and the country housing the most Ukrainian refugees, according to United Nations data, has increased to its highest level since the end of World War Two.

For Germany, the massive influx of refugees from Ukraine is a fantastic opportunity, but there is a problem with integrating refugees into professions without knowledge of the local language, and given the situation with the non-recognition of Ukrainian diplomas, people are often stuck without career growth opportunities 

Joyless future perspectives for Ukrainian refugees

The EU’s temporary protection plan for migrants from Ukraine is now set to expire in March 2024. However, the fate of the refugees is partially dependent on the unpredictable outcome of the war in Ukraine.

European Union countries have to create a plan regarding the labour situation with the validation of Ukrainian documents before it’s too late.

Employers who wish to hire Ukrainian refugees are now in a challenging position since they are still determining if they can stay for a longer period.