On May 24, a small protest titled “For Ukrainians in the Labor Market Instead of Migration” took place in Lviv, drawing attention to concerns regarding labor migration in Ukraine. The event was marked by the slogan of Ukrainian nationalist leader Dmytro Dontsov: “To rule not over someone, but on our own land.” Participants held signs advocating for prioritizing Ukrainians in the job market.
One of the organizers, Yuliya Chubareva, who initiated a petition against labor migration, emphasized the protest’s aim to convey to the government that there is opposition to policies encouraging foreign labor influx. She called for efforts to bring back Ukrainians from abroad and provide job opportunities for internally displaced persons and veterans.
Chubareva stated that the petition has garnered 25,000 signatures, urging the government to develop and implement a national strategy to protect the domestic labor market. This strategy would prioritize reserving jobs for Ukrainian citizens and engaging the diaspora rather than relying on foreign migrants. The petition also calls for a cessation of mass recruitment of foreigners and the establishment of stringent integration criteria for them.
During the protest, participants highlighted the necessity of focusing on employing Ukrainians, both from within the country and from the diaspora, to meet labor market demands. Nicolas Ambert, a French volunteer and co-organizer of the event residing in Lviv, suggested that mechanisms be established to offer job reservations for Ukrainians living abroad.
“Currently, such a mechanism does not exist, and that is what we propose in our petition. We are not racists; we are not against Indians or migrants. We advocate for Ukrainians to have priority throughout the country, and as a Frenchman, it is very important to me that Ukraine is predominantly inhabited by Ukrainians,”
Ambert remarked. He also addressed accusations of the movement being influenced by Russian disinformation, noting that Russia has been using migrants at the Polish border to destabilize Poland and Europe.
Ambert urged Ukrainians not to repeat the mistakes of France, where a significant number of labor migrants have settled, leading to cultural fragmentation. He warned against the potential challenges that uncontrolled migration could pose to national unity.
Another protest against labor migration occurred in Lviv on May 23, organized by local groups including “Right Youth” and “Right Sector.” Their slogans included “Ukraine for Ukrainians” and “No Migration – Save the Nation,” emphasizing the need for job security for Ukrainians while their compatriots are fighting abroad.
Currently, nearly 6 million Ukrainians are refugees abroad, while an additional 5 million are military personnel, with approximately 900,000 actively serving, according to GlobalFirepower analysts. This situation has exacerbated labor shortages within the country, fueling discussions on social media about the potential threats posed by labor migration.
The Center for Counteracting Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine has indicated that the spread of concerns regarding labor migration is being encouraged by Russian influences, which are reportedly disseminating content on this issue to provoke internal conflicts.
Protests in Lviv against labor migration policies highlight concerns over prioritizing Ukrainian citizens in the job market. Organizers advocate for strategies to bring back Ukrainians from abroad amid ongoing labor shortages.
Source: Radio Svoboda