Ukraine Loses the Race for Migrant Workers as Wages Stay Dismally Low

Ukraine's Labor Migration Crisis: A Losing Battle

According to Главком: Ukraine holds little appeal for foreign workers, according to Vasyl Voskoboynyk, head of the NGO Migration Policy Office. The key factors behind this are meager salaries, lengthy hiring processes, and the ongoing war. Voskoboynyk predicts a fresh wave of Ukrainian labor migration once the conflict ends, while arguing that large-scale recruitment of foreigners is unrealistic in the near term. This analysis comes as Ukraine faces severe labor shortages and a struggling post-war economy.

Employers in Ukraine must spend up to 150,000 hryvnias to hire a single foreign worker, Voskoboynyk explains. He stresses that the country's economic conditions, security risks, and logistical hurdles make it unattractive to outsiders:

“From a purely economic, security, and logistical standpoint, we are not interesting to the world.” – Vasyl Voskoboynyk

In contrast, migrant workers in Poland enjoy major benefits. For instance:

• Children of migrant workers in Poland can receive 800 zlotys per month (nearly 9,000 hryvnias).
• In the Czech Republic, a woman receives the equivalent of roughly 800,000 hryvnias upon giving birth.

These advantages make employment abroad far more lucrative for potential migrants.

Voskoboynyk also warns that Ukraine could lose between 1.5 and 2 million people to labor migration after the war. He notes:

“A wave of labor migration will begin – our people will go to work and earn money in Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany… We will temporarily lose, according to our estimates, one and a half to two million people and find ourselves in a situation where we lack enough workers.” – Vasyl Voskoboynyk

In 2025, Ukraine issued 9,574 work permits to foreigners, just 43.9% of the 2021 figure. The number of work visas issued that year was even lower than the permit count. While Voskoboynyk acknowledges that attracting foreign labor may eventually become necessary, he cautions against expecting a flood of newcomers:

“I don’t believe that in the next five years we will see 100,000 migrants arriving annually.” – Vasyl Voskoboynyk

He emphasizes that foreigners will not accept low wages, and those accustomed to working for such meager pay will simply not come to Ukraine.

Outlook for the Labor Market

Overall, Ukraine’s labor market remains in a precarious state, with grim prospects for labor migration in the coming years.

Given the prolonged war and economic hardships, Voskoboynyk’s forecasts highlight serious challenges ahead for Ukraine’s workforce. Declining immigration of foreigners, coupled with a likely surge in Ukrainian emigration after the conflict, could create a severe labor deficit that hampers economic recovery. This situation demands urgent government action to create better working conditions and improve economic stability in Ukraine.

As Ukraine grapples with diminishing appeal for foreign workers, the situation raises questions about the future of its businesses. The decline in foreign worker permissions poses a significant challenge, leading experts to consider whether migrants could be the solution to revitalize the economy. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for addressing labor shortages and fostering economic recovery.