The Ukrainian labor market is feeling the strain of a labor shortage more and more acutely, so employers are increasingly turning to foreign workers. However, legally hiring a foreign worker is not cheap for businesses - the search and travel costs alone amount to at least $1,500.

This was reported by Dengi.ua, citing SUD.UA.

The Scale of Ukraine's Labor Market Shortage

According to available information, the Ukrainian labor market is currently short about 4.5 million workers. At the same time, over 6,000 legal migrant workers have entered Ukraine over the past year.

By comparison, before the outbreak of the full-scale war, employers were issued more than 20,000 work permits for foreign nationals annually.

How much does it cost a business to hire a foreign worker?

The NAAU Committee on Investment Activities notes that legally hiring a foreign worker involves significant costs:

  • just the search for and travel of the worker to Ukraine costs at least $1,500;
  • monthly expenses per worker amount to about 40,000 hryvnias.

How Foreigners Are Hired in Ukraine

Companies can hire foreign workers directly or through international agencies that search for candidates and arrange their arrival. Afterward, the employer assesses whether the candidate meets the requirements regarding skills, education, and language proficiency.

Under the Law “On Employment,” employers must obtain a permit to hire foreign workers, who in turn must be in Ukraine legally. Only then are the employment arrangements formalized.

Why Is the Responsibility for Foreign Workers’ Adaptation Shifting to Businesses?

Lawyers point out that Ukraine effectively lacks systematic government programs for the integration of foreign workers. They cite Germany as an example, where those who have been granted protection undergo language and social integration with state support.

In Ukraine, however, businesses are often forced to take on these responsibilities - providing interpreters, organizing language courses, and assisting with housing and daily living. Nonetheless, the Committee emphasizes that it is wrong to place the entire burden of integration on employers.

Why Ukraine Needs a Migration Policy

The Committee emphasizes that the issues of attracting and integrating foreign workers cannot be left entirely to employers.

According to Committee representatives, the state must develop comprehensive programs to support and help labor migrants adapt, and migration policy must be multi-level—taking into account labor market needs, integration, safety, and compliance with the law.