In the context of a severe labor shortage and significant imbalance in the job market, Ukrainian companies are intensifying their search for workers abroad. According to forecasts, the demand for labor migrants is expected to grow in the coming years, driven by both the immediate shortage of personnel and the prospects for the country’s recovery after the war ends.
This is reported by Finway
Assessments of Worker Shortages and New Trends in the Market
According to the International Labour Organization, Ukraine may face a shortage of up to 8.8–8.7 million workers in the next decade. Despite the anticipated economic recovery, businesses are already forced to turn to foreign specialists, as domestic reserves are insufficient.
According to Oleg Penzy, head of the Economic Discussion Club, a woodworking company in Transcarpathia recently requested 150 workers from Bangladesh. Construction companies have also begun actively seeking personnel from countries such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, engaging recruitment agencies to find the necessary staff.
Several companies in the construction market have also reported that they have ordered recruiters to source people from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. According to an expert, Ukrainian employers are already ready to employ up to 400,000 – 450,000 foreigners annually.
The Cost of Attracting Foreign Workers
Alexander Barsuk, head of the Yaroslav Group, notes that attracting foreign workers is not cheap for businesses: on average, it costs about 32,000 hryvnias (approximately $755) per person, taking into account all expenses related to relocation, document processing, and adaptation.
Faced with a labor shortage, Ukrainian businesses are already prepared to employ up to 450,000 foreigners each year, and this trend is likely to intensify in the coming years.