As the war between Russia and Ukraine continues to devastate the region, the economic consequences for Ukraine are becoming increasingly dire. With millions displaced, thousands of men mobilized for military duty, and vital industries struggling to fill positions, Ukraine’s labor market is facing an unprecedented crisis. The ongoing war has not only disrupted daily life but also put immense strain on the workforce, threatening the country’s economic growth and post-war recovery.
Before Russia's invasion in February 2022, Ukraine’s workforce was robust, with many industries flourishing. However, since the war began, the country has lost over a quarter of its workforce, according to data from the central bank of Ukraine. This dramatic loss of labor has sent shockwaves through businesses, industries, and the economy at large.
Liliia Shulha, a 40-year-old woman from Ukraine, is a symbol of how businesses are adapting to this new reality. After spending years in “boring, sedentary” office jobs, Shulha landed her dream job as a truck driver for Ukraine’s leading retailer, Fozzy Group. "I always dreamed about big cars. Instead of playing with dolls, I drove cars when I was a child," Shulha told Reuters. Her story is just one example of the shifting workforce dynamics in Ukraine, where businesses are increasingly turning to women, teenagers, students, and retirees to fill roles traditionally dominated by men.
War's Devastating Impact on Ukraine’s Workforce
With millions of people fleeing the country, primarily women and children, and tens of thousands of men mobilized into the army, Ukraine’s labor market is in crisis. An economy ministry survey of over 3,000 companies found that nearly 60% of businesses are struggling to find skilled workers, further complicating efforts to maintain economic stability during the war.
"The situation is indeed critical," said Tetiana Petruk, chief sustainability officer at Metinvest, one of Ukraine’s largest employers. The company, which employs about 45,000 people, has approximately 4,000 vacancies. "The staff deficit that we feel has an impact on our production," Petruk noted. These shortages are not unique to Metinvest; other companies across the construction, transport, mining, and retail sectors are experiencing similar challenges due to military mobilization.
One of the largest male-dominated industries hit hard by labor shortages is the steel industry. Metinvest has had to adjust its workforce dynamics, hiring more women for positions that were previously held by men, including some underground jobs. Petruk mentioned that about 30-35% of Metinvest’s workforce now consists of women, a significant increase from before the war.
The Growing Role of Women in Ukraine’s Workforce
In a country where certain jobs were traditionally reserved for men, the war has upended societal norms and forced companies to rethink recruitment strategies. Women, who have historically been underrepresented in industries like construction and transportation, are now being hired and trained for these roles at a faster rate. Companies like Fozzy Group, which employs Shulha, are actively recruiting women for positions such as truck drivers, loaders, and even meat splitters—jobs typically dominated by men before the war.
"We are offering training and jobs for women who have minimal experience," said Lyubov Ukrainets, human resources director at Silpo, part of the Fozzy Group. The company currently has six female truck drivers and is continuously looking to hire more women for roles that were previously seen as male-dominated.
In southern Ukraine’s agricultural region of Mykolayiv, women are being trained as tractor drivers. Women are also increasingly working in positions such as coal miners, security guards, and warehouse workers. This shift not only reflects the new realities of the war-torn labor market but also demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of Ukraine’s workforce.
Youth and Retirees Step in to Fill Gaps
With many able-bodied men between the ages of 25 and 60 eligible for military service, companies are turning to other segments of the population to fill critical roles. Teenagers, students, and retirees are being recruited at unprecedented rates. Businesses are offering job training, internships, and targeted benefits to attract young people to the workforce.
Silpo, for example, has launched specialized internship programs for students and is actively hiring teenagers for entry-level jobs in its supermarkets. Mobile phone operator Vodafone has repackaged its youth program to create job opportunities for around 50 teenagers across 12 cities. "We want to offer the first proper experience of an official job to this young audience," said Ilona Voloshyna of Vodafone Retail. The company also aims to build a talent pool for the future while gaining insights into the younger generation’s preferences.
Retirees are also being re-hired to help meet labor demands. With experience and skills honed over decades, older workers are helping to fill critical gaps left by the exodus of younger people and men serving in the military.
Impact on Ukraine's Economic Recovery
The long-term economic consequences of Ukraine’s labor market crisis are becoming increasingly apparent. The inability to fill skilled positions, particularly in critical industries like energy, weapons production, and mining, poses a significant threat to the country’s economic growth. According to analysts, this crisis could hinder post-war reconstruction efforts and delay the recovery of the national economy.
"The staff shortages and skill mismatches we are seeing could endanger our post-war recovery," one economist explained. Businesses are being forced to adapt quickly, automating processes, rotating existing staff, and expanding job descriptions to make the most of their reduced workforce.
Wages have also risen significantly, with the average monthly wage now standing at about 20,000 hryvnias ($470), up from 14,500 a year ago. While this is a positive development for workers, it places additional financial pressure on businesses already struggling to maintain production levels during the war.
The government has recognized the seriousness of the situation and, along with foreign partners, has launched several programs to help Ukrainians reskill. "We provide the opportunity for everyone at state expense to obtain a new profession which is in demand on the labor market, or to raise their professional level," said Tetiana Berezhna, a deputy economy minister.
A New Workforce Landscape in Post-War Ukraine
As the war drags on, it is clear that Ukraine’s labor market is undergoing a profound transformation. The influx of women into traditionally male-dominated industries, the increased participation of young people and retirees, and the shift in employer recruitment strategies are all shaping a new workforce landscape in Ukraine.
For many Ukrainians, like Shulha, the war has brought unexpected opportunities in the labor market. Despite the challenges, the country’s workforce is proving to be resilient and adaptable, adjusting to the new realities of a nation at war. However, as businesses and economists warn, the long-term effects of these labor shortages could have serious implications for Ukraine’s post-war recovery.
The war between Ukraine and Russia continues to exact a heavy toll on the country’s economy, workforce, and people. As the world watches, Ukraine faces the daunting task of rebuilding not only its infrastructure but also its labor market—a critical component of its future economic success.
(Source:www.tbsnews.net)
Before Russia's invasion in February 2022, Ukraine’s workforce was robust, with many industries flourishing. However, since the war began, the country has lost over a quarter of its workforce, according to data from the central bank of Ukraine. This dramatic loss of labor has sent shockwaves through businesses, industries, and the economy at large.
Liliia Shulha, a 40-year-old woman from Ukraine, is a symbol of how businesses are adapting to this new reality. After spending years in “boring, sedentary” office jobs, Shulha landed her dream job as a truck driver for Ukraine’s leading retailer, Fozzy Group. "I always dreamed about big cars. Instead of playing with dolls, I drove cars when I was a child," Shulha told Reuters. Her story is just one example of the shifting workforce dynamics in Ukraine, where businesses are increasingly turning to women, teenagers, students, and retirees to fill roles traditionally dominated by men.
War's Devastating Impact on Ukraine’s Workforce
With millions of people fleeing the country, primarily women and children, and tens of thousands of men mobilized into the army, Ukraine’s labor market is in crisis. An economy ministry survey of over 3,000 companies found that nearly 60% of businesses are struggling to find skilled workers, further complicating efforts to maintain economic stability during the war.
"The situation is indeed critical," said Tetiana Petruk, chief sustainability officer at Metinvest, one of Ukraine’s largest employers. The company, which employs about 45,000 people, has approximately 4,000 vacancies. "The staff deficit that we feel has an impact on our production," Petruk noted. These shortages are not unique to Metinvest; other companies across the construction, transport, mining, and retail sectors are experiencing similar challenges due to military mobilization.
One of the largest male-dominated industries hit hard by labor shortages is the steel industry. Metinvest has had to adjust its workforce dynamics, hiring more women for positions that were previously held by men, including some underground jobs. Petruk mentioned that about 30-35% of Metinvest’s workforce now consists of women, a significant increase from before the war.
The Growing Role of Women in Ukraine’s Workforce
In a country where certain jobs were traditionally reserved for men, the war has upended societal norms and forced companies to rethink recruitment strategies. Women, who have historically been underrepresented in industries like construction and transportation, are now being hired and trained for these roles at a faster rate. Companies like Fozzy Group, which employs Shulha, are actively recruiting women for positions such as truck drivers, loaders, and even meat splitters—jobs typically dominated by men before the war.
"We are offering training and jobs for women who have minimal experience," said Lyubov Ukrainets, human resources director at Silpo, part of the Fozzy Group. The company currently has six female truck drivers and is continuously looking to hire more women for roles that were previously seen as male-dominated.
In southern Ukraine’s agricultural region of Mykolayiv, women are being trained as tractor drivers. Women are also increasingly working in positions such as coal miners, security guards, and warehouse workers. This shift not only reflects the new realities of the war-torn labor market but also demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of Ukraine’s workforce.
Youth and Retirees Step in to Fill Gaps
With many able-bodied men between the ages of 25 and 60 eligible for military service, companies are turning to other segments of the population to fill critical roles. Teenagers, students, and retirees are being recruited at unprecedented rates. Businesses are offering job training, internships, and targeted benefits to attract young people to the workforce.
Silpo, for example, has launched specialized internship programs for students and is actively hiring teenagers for entry-level jobs in its supermarkets. Mobile phone operator Vodafone has repackaged its youth program to create job opportunities for around 50 teenagers across 12 cities. "We want to offer the first proper experience of an official job to this young audience," said Ilona Voloshyna of Vodafone Retail. The company also aims to build a talent pool for the future while gaining insights into the younger generation’s preferences.
Retirees are also being re-hired to help meet labor demands. With experience and skills honed over decades, older workers are helping to fill critical gaps left by the exodus of younger people and men serving in the military.
Impact on Ukraine's Economic Recovery
The long-term economic consequences of Ukraine’s labor market crisis are becoming increasingly apparent. The inability to fill skilled positions, particularly in critical industries like energy, weapons production, and mining, poses a significant threat to the country’s economic growth. According to analysts, this crisis could hinder post-war reconstruction efforts and delay the recovery of the national economy.
"The staff shortages and skill mismatches we are seeing could endanger our post-war recovery," one economist explained. Businesses are being forced to adapt quickly, automating processes, rotating existing staff, and expanding job descriptions to make the most of their reduced workforce.
Wages have also risen significantly, with the average monthly wage now standing at about 20,000 hryvnias ($470), up from 14,500 a year ago. While this is a positive development for workers, it places additional financial pressure on businesses already struggling to maintain production levels during the war.
The government has recognized the seriousness of the situation and, along with foreign partners, has launched several programs to help Ukrainians reskill. "We provide the opportunity for everyone at state expense to obtain a new profession which is in demand on the labor market, or to raise their professional level," said Tetiana Berezhna, a deputy economy minister.
A New Workforce Landscape in Post-War Ukraine
As the war drags on, it is clear that Ukraine’s labor market is undergoing a profound transformation. The influx of women into traditionally male-dominated industries, the increased participation of young people and retirees, and the shift in employer recruitment strategies are all shaping a new workforce landscape in Ukraine.
For many Ukrainians, like Shulha, the war has brought unexpected opportunities in the labor market. Despite the challenges, the country’s workforce is proving to be resilient and adaptable, adjusting to the new realities of a nation at war. However, as businesses and economists warn, the long-term effects of these labor shortages could have serious implications for Ukraine’s post-war recovery.
The war between Ukraine and Russia continues to exact a heavy toll on the country’s economy, workforce, and people. As the world watches, Ukraine faces the daunting task of rebuilding not only its infrastructure but also its labor market—a critical component of its future economic success.
(Source:www.tbsnews.net)
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