The war in Ukraine was initially a war between Russia and Ukraine. However, that quickly changed. It has been a global issue for a while now. The prices of energy skyrocketed together with everything linked to them. More than twelve million Ukrainians have left the country in search of a safer place to live.
European countries have welcomed Ukrainian refugees with open arms. The governments of different countries and volunteers provided them with shelter, food, and everything they needed to survive for a while. Unfortunately, given the energy crisis, governments cannot take care of refugees forever. This means that refugees who want to stay have to start looking after themselves.
How does this affect the labour market?
The short answer to this question is “positively”! And positive in many ways. Firstly, many countries will gain the workforce needed for positions that could not be filled before. Whether we like it or not, there are jobs that nobody wants to do because of the type of work or the salary. However, those types of jobs are a wonderful start for any refugee. Such positions usually don’t require special skills or advanced knowledge of the local language. The best part is that it is a win-win situation. The refugees will get a job to help them start a new life. Employers will get the workforce they desperately need. In addition, employers pay higher taxes, which leads to more money in the country’s economy.
New vacancies and more work
With time many refugees will want to climb the career ladder – they will need their diplomas translated. Many of them will need to learn the local language. This will bring job opportunities for teachers and translators.
On the other hand, not every person needs to build a career from the start – for example – people close to retirement. If such people work in a factory, they will need a coordinator who speaks both the local language and Ukrainian. This in turn opens up new opportunities for motivated refugees who are willing to learn and grow professionally.
Personal contribution
We shouldn’t forget why the refugees are all over Europe. They are running for their lives. They are looking for a safe place to raise their children. If there is a way for you to help them, do it! And since it’s always best to lead by example, we at Atena are trying to do just that. We have provided accommodation for 60 people. And as this is just the first step, we are actively working to help everyone find the most suitable job.
