Ukrainian municipalities are increasingly attracting foreign nationals to work on construction sites and in public utilities to combat critical labor shortages. Cities such as Ivano-Frankivsk and Cherkasy are already employing migrants, specifically citizens of India. Statistics indicate that in 2025, 74% of Ukrainian companies faced a significant workforce deficit. This situation was discussed by the mayors of Ivano-Frankivsk, Ruslan Martsinkiv, and Cherkasy, Anatoliy Bondarenko, as reported by Dengi.ua.
Where Migrant Workers are Currently Employed
The mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk, Ruslan Martsinkiv, confirmed that local construction firms have already integrated migrants from India into their workforce. Anatoliy Bondarenko, the mayor of Cherkasy, reported a similar trend, noting that at least ten foreigners on valid work visas are employed by companies that recently won road repair tenders. Employers facilitate the transition by providing hostel accommodation, meals, and necessary legal documentation.
"Frankly speaking, every enterprise now has a critical need to attract workers. In almost every municipal utility company, there is currently a major deficit in vocational and labor-intensive professions," Bondarenko explained.
Causes of the Labor Shortage in Ukraine
The mayor of Cherkasy attributed the personnel shortage primarily to the lack of mobilization deferments (reservations) for employees at certain utility companies. Overall, 74% of Ukrainian enterprises struggled with staffing in 2025. In the construction sector specifically, the shortage is estimated to be between 30% and 50% of the required workforce.
Can Foreign Labor Replace the Ukrainian Workforce?
Discussions regarding the mass recruitment of migrants from Africa and Asia intensified following comments from Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov. He highlighted the country's demographic decline but firmly disagreed with the notion that "millions of Ukrainians might not return and can simply be replaced."
Previously, it was noted that government officials have explored solving staff shortages with labor from Africa and other regions. However, Vasyl Voskoboynyk, a demography expert and head of the "Office of Migration Policy," argues that a mass "replacement" is currently unfeasible. To attract foreign labor at scale, Ukraine must create competitive conditions that rival those of the EU or the UAE.
"European nations offer robust social support for newcomers. Given its current financial state, Ukraine is unlikely to offer such programs for foreigners, especially since they do not yet exist for the local population," Voskoboynyk explained.
