Migrant Workers Are Replacing Ukrainians in the Labor Market, Reports Indicate

Hiring Foreign Nationals in Ukraine: The Current Landscape

According to Укрінформ — Мігранти: In late January, the State Migration Service of Ukraine (SMSU) recorded the first reports of Ukrainian workers being replaced by migrants. The trigger was a private furniture company in Tyachiv, Zakarpattia Oblast, negotiating to hire 160 Bangladeshi nationals. Those talks later fell through because the company failed to secure the necessary work permits for foreign employees.

SMSU Head Nataliia Naumenko explained that the agency’s analytical center traced the narrative of migrant substitution to January 25–27. During that period, news emerged that a private furniture factory in Tyachiv was in discussions to bring in 160 workers from Bangladesh, citing a shortage of skilled local labor.

The Tyachiv case became a focal point for disinformation, especially by pro-Russian propaganda, which used it as alleged proof of a large-scale influx of Asian workers. Naumenko noted,

“Propagandists keep citing this case as evidence that mass migration to Ukraine has begun, even though no actual relocation ever took place.”

The Disinformation Challenge

On November 26, 2025, the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) warned that Russia was spreading false claims about a massive importation of Asian labor. As evidence, propagandists pointed to draft law No. 14211, which proposed changes to regulations on hiring foreigners and stateless individuals. Naumenko emphasized,

“They say, ‘We support our boys fighting at the front, while you try to replace our citizens with foreigners.’ In reality, no such policy exists or is being developed.”

The controversy over hiring foreign workers in Ukraine continues to fuel tension, with disinformation campaigns stirring public anxiety.

This wave of misinformation underscores the need for critical news consumption, especially amid the ongoing information war Ukraine faces. Authorities are working to debunk falsehoods that could sway public opinion and create societal friction. The issue highlights the urgency of launching stronger information campaigns to clarify the facts and curb the spread of disinformation.

The ongoing debate about the employment of foreign workers in Ukraine is further complicated by the spread of misinformation. As highlighted by the recent statements from the head of the Migration Service, false narratives about an influx of migrants are being propagated. For a deeper understanding of how these claims are part of a broader disinformation strategy, see our coverage on the dismissal of migrant influx allegations.