Why are refugees promised "golden mountains" to return to Ukraine, and what are the issues with this initiative?

Why are refugees promised "golden mountains" for returning to Ukraine, and what’s wrong with this initiative?

Ukrainians are being asked to return home from abroad. The government promises citizens abroad jobs at Ukraine's defense enterprises with guarantees against potential mobilization.

This statement was made by Oleksiy Chernyshov, the head of Ukraine's Ministry of National Unity. The minister emphasized that the decision to return should be a personal choice for those living abroad.

"Today, Ukraine, particularly certain industries, needs specialists as desperately as air. This includes the defense sector, the military-industrial complex, and other fields. We have a shortage of professionals, we have a deficit of specialists, and most of them Ukraine is ready to exempt from military service. That is why we plan to establish centers that will assist in job searches in Ukraine and in the countries where Ukrainians reside. These job centers will provide services and encourage individuals to choose various professional paths in Ukraine," stated Oleksiy Chernyshov.

Experts interviewed by journalists express doubts about the effectiveness of such a statement from the Minister of National Unity. Especially regarding the promised exemptions.

"In my opinion, this statement is quite strange. On one hand, we are conducting certain activities that force these men to flee abroad and not return, and suddenly, we want them back and are doing everything possible to facilitate their return. From the minister's statement, it appears we are ready to offer certain preferences for those who left to come back home. But what about those who have lived and worked in Ukraine for three years? Are they somehow less deserving?" – Tatiana Pashkina, an HR expert, explained to TSN.ua.

She adds that Ukrainians from abroad are being invited to defense enterprises and the military-industrial complex, but she doubts that teachers, medical professionals, marketers, and hairdressers will be needed there.

"If a person left for abroad even before COVID and worked as a hairdresser, how will such a specialist be useful at a defense enterprise in Ukraine? Who will he be cutting hair for? Of course, he can be retrained for the necessary profession. But the question remains: why promise 'golden mountains' and exemptions to Ukrainians abroad when we could first offer this to those who have lived here for three years under rockets? That seems more fair to me," emphasizes Tatiana Pashkina.

She stresses that if there really were a large number of vacancies in defense enterprises guaranteeing exemptions and decent salaries, huge lines of candidates would already be forming.

"If people were truly offered exemptions and decent salaries, I believe these positions could be filled by Ukrainians currently in the country. I often encounter candidates, and the first two questions I hear from men in interviews are about exemptions and salary size, in that exact order. This is what people are currently eager for. But I don’t understand why these offers should go to Ukrainians who have found themselves abroad, while those who have endured the hardships at home are overlooked. Unfortunately, I have no answer to that," says Tatiana Pashkina.

Under what conditions do they want to return?

If we are to believe surveys conducted abroad among our citizens, the results indicate that Ukrainians are willing to return if they receive assistance in securing decent housing, are offered good salaries, and financial help for relocation.

"Based on basic logic of fairness, why should those who had more or less normal living conditions and financial support before be prioritized for housing over internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are currently living in modular homes or less comfortable conditions?" – notes Tatiana Pashkina.

The expert reminds us that even before the COVID pandemic and the war, the average salary in Ukraine was the lowest in Europe, making it very doubtful that after three years of war, the average salary would suddenly increase.

"People who have lived in Germany, Ireland, or Poland for three years, where the average salary is six times higher than ours, are unlikely to agree to return home. Even if a defense enterprise offers them an outrageous 40-60 thousand hryvnias, they might turn their noses up at it, considering that wages in the countries they live in look very different. Therefore, a return seems unlikely, and the minister's statement is merely a declaration of intent, creating the illusion that we want to bring someone back, but it currently appears empty," emphasizes Tatiana Pashkina.

About the prodigal son in a new light

According to Tatiana Pashkina, it is unfortunate that this proposal was voiced for "foreign" people rather than for "our own."

"It seems to me that those who are still living in Ukraine are more suitable candidates for various benefits and interesting offers, yet we somehow play out the parable of the prodigal son – one son is awaited and forgiven by all, while the one who endured tough times with the parents goes unnoticed. He may even think that perhaps he should have gone abroad, then he would be more desirable at home," concludes Tatiana Pashkina.

The country lacks manpower

Sociologist Alexander Shulga notes that by the third year of war, Ukraine is facing an acute shortage of human resources – a large number of Ukrainians are engaged in defending the state, a significant portion have fled abroad to escape the war, and some remain under Russian occupation.

"Our military-industrial complex is gradually developing. Its capacity needs to be high given the scale of the aggressor that has attacked us. I think the lack of manpower is what has led to the need to reach out to Ukrainians abroad," Alexander Shulga told TSN.ua.

To invite migrants or our own people?

He adds that our government has two options – to attract labor migrants from other countries or to call back its citizens who have temporarily left the state.

"The problem is that at the moment, labor migrants are unlikely to express a desire to come to Ukraine for work due to the constant Russian air attacks. Therefore, the Minister of National Unity is trying to reach the most conscious audience and somehow attract them to Ukraine, with the same exemptions," explains Alexander Shulga.

Why should we try?

The expert believes that the minister's statement was made not out of convenience, and there are no simple solutions during wartime.

"Unfortunately, in our society, one can encounter a barrage of criticism for any initiative taken. So undoubtedly, there will be those who say this is unfair. But the reality is that we genuinely lack manpower. People are needed not only on the front lines but also in a strong rear. Whether this will yield results, I do not know. But I think it is worth trying because there are currently no solutions that will satisfy everyone," notes the sociologist.

How many people are needed?

According to Alexander Shulga, by mid-2024, Russia was projected to lack 2 million workers for the needs of the military-industrial complex and the entire labor market.

"Our scale is smaller, but I believe it amounts to tens or even hundreds of thousands of people. Therefore, I reiterate that the government is trying to explore all possible options. The simplest solution is to call back those who lived here before, those who know the language, culture, and traditions. It will be easier to convince them than labor migrants from other countries," concludes the sociologist.

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