Ukrainian businesses are exploring the option of hiring foreign workers to address a labor shortage, but initial attempts have encountered significant obstacles. Many potential recruits are reluctant to work in a country embroiled in a full-scale war.
According to reports, the agricultural holding MHP began investigating the possibility of bringing in foreign labor in 2024, with the first group arriving in late 2025. This process involved navigating extensive bureaucratic hurdles and establishing necessary organizational frameworks, but further complications soon arose.
Dina Konogray, MHP’s HR director, shared that the first seven foreign workers were assigned to a poultry facility. However, after a nighttime shelling incident, several workers fled without notice and ceased communication.
In compliance with legal requirements, MHP notified the migration service about the situation. Although the workers were eventually located, their work permits were revoked—not just for those who fled, but for the entire group.
Konogray emphasized that this experience served as a crucial lesson for the company: merely hiring and relocating foreign workers is insufficient; they require proper acclimatization. The realities of air raid alerts, explosions, and power outages can be overwhelming for those unprepared for such conditions.
Moreover, cultural differences must also be taken into account when integrating foreign workers into the local environment.
Labor Migration in Ukraine
Experts have long advocated for the need to attract labor migrants to Ukraine to fill workforce gaps. Vasyl Voskoboynyk, head of the Migration Policy Office, noted that Ukraine could appeal to labor migrants from Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Southeast Asia, as well as individuals displaced by job losses in the EU or fleeing conflicts.
Reports indicate that the importation of labor migrants has already begun in some areas. For instance, nearly two hundred workers from Bangladesh are currently employed at a facility in Zakarpattia. However, such instances remain relatively isolated.
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Ukrainian companies are struggling to recruit foreign workers due to the ongoing war, as initial attempts have revealed significant challenges in worker adaptation and safety. Experts emphasize the need for labor migrants to fill critical workforce shortages in the country.