Why Ukraine is losing the battle for its people in the EU: expert Voskoboynik

While EU countries are gaining additional labor, Ukraine is facing a brain drain. After the war ends, the situation may only worsen. This is stated by the Association of International Employment.

The President of the Association of International Employment, Vasyl Voskoboynik, announced that 30-35% of the Ukrainian economy has been destroyed, the war continues, and energy and communal infrastructure is suffering destruction. 

«Returning to Ukraine is unlikely to be comfortable even after the end of hostilities,» he noted.

Labor migration from Ukraine may intensify after the borders are opened

According to Vasyl Voskoboynik, the opening of borders after the war may cause a new wave of emigration.

«After the war ends, a new outflow is quite possible. I really hope that this will be labor migration - people will go, work, and return,» the expert emphasized.

The key factor remains the income difference between Ukraine and EU countries.

Salaries in Ukraine and the EU remain incomparable

The expert provided the following minimum wage figures:

• Germany - 2000-2300 euros

• Poland - about 1100 euros

• Czech Republic - approximately 860 euros

• Ukraine - 170-175 euros

«The difference is several times. And catching up in a short period is practically impossible,» Vasyl Voskoboynik emphasized.

According to his assessment, in the next 5-10 years, Ukraine will not be able to compete with the standard of living in Poland or the Czech Republic. At the same time, there are some positive examples. In particular, the salaries of energy workers dealing with the aftermath of shelling have been raised to 30-40 thousand hryvnias.

In the expert’s opinion, businesses will have to pay at least 70-80% of the income that Ukrainians can earn in Poland or the Czech Republic, otherwise the labor shortage will only intensify.

Let’s recall that Ukrainian companies are facing a labor shortage due to the emigration of young people aged 18-22 after the government allowed them to leave the country. Businesses are looking for alternatives by attracting workers from South Asian countries.