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We need to overcome the biggest migration crisis since the WWII and bring Ukrainians back: Yuliia Svyrydenko
Ministry of Economy of Ukraine
25 October 2023 17:55
https://www.kmu.gov.ua/en/news/maiemo-podolaty-naibilshu-mihratsiinu-kryzu-z-chasiv-druhoi-svitovoi-viiny-ta-povernuty-ukraintsiv-iuliia-svyrydenko

Security, the opportunity to find work and study, and housing are key factors in the return of Ukrainians who left the country because of the war, and the Government is already working to create conditions for implementing each. This was stated by Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, in her speech at the Human Capital UA forum.

“Ukraine is facing the biggest migration crisis since the Second World War – more than 6 million Ukrainians are now abroad. The number of those who have already found employment abroad is growing every month. Our biggest challenge is to bring them back home. The four main factors that will encourage Ukrainians to return are security, the opportunity to be employed or to own and develop their own business, the opportunity to study, and housing. We are already working on the implementation of each component,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko.

The first and foremost factor is the liberation of the territories from the aggressor, followed by de-mining. According to Yuliia Svyrydenko, Ukraine is currently the most potentially mined country in the world. Therefore, de-mining is the zero stage of recovery, without which it is impossible to return life to the de-occupied territories. The Ministry of Economy is looking for ways to speed up the process by applying new approaches and methods to de-mining and modern technologies, increasing the number of de-mining machines and equipment, strengthening the capacity of government agencies involved in de-mining, and opening up the market for de-mining services.

To ensure the second component – the opportunity for Ukrainians to find a job or start a business – the Government introduced the eRobota grant program last summer, which allows people to receive a grant to start or expand their business.

“Already 8,283 Ukrainians have received grants to develop their own businesses. They have created over 19,000 jobs. Creating 1-2 new jobs is a key requirement for receiving a grant. And given the high unemployment rate, it will be a mandatory requirement of all government business support programs,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko.

She recalled that there was also a program of grants for veterans and their spouses, as well as grants for the creation and development of processing enterprises. All of these will be continued next year.

Another important area is providing Ukrainians with the opportunity to train or retrain for a specialty that is more in demand on the labor market. The country is currently experiencing structural unemployment, where the skills available in the labor market do not match the needs of employers. Today, with the support of the State

Employment Service, training is available, particularly in vocational education centers, where one can obtain a diploma in one of 95 professions. Ukrainians can also obtain a voucher for training in 124 professions and specialities.

Such vouchers have already been issued to 15,500 Ukrainians. The most popular professions for which vouchers have been used are psychologist, nurse, cook, social worker and driver.

Affordable housing is also an important incentive for Ukrainians to return from abroad. Since last autumn, the eoselia affordable loan program has been in place, allowing Ukrainians to apply for loans at 3% or 7% interest rates to purchase housing.

“More than 4,000 loans have already been granted under the program. By the end of this year, 10,000 Ukrainian families will be able to obtain a mortgage. The program operates throughout the country – loans for the purchase of housing are being applied for in Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv and Mykolaiv regions,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko.