Main points
- Ukraine plans to revise the list of “migration-risk” countries to facilitate the hiring of foreign workers, given the personnel shortage.
- There are security and social risks, as well as legal issues associated with managing migrant workers.
Ukraine will review the rules regarding labor migrants / Collage of Channel 24, photo Shutterstock
Ukraine may revise the list of so-called “risky” countries to make it easier for businesses to hire foreign workers. After a meeting on cooperation with some countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Security Service of Ukraine were tasked with changing these rules.
List of “migration risk” countries and new rules: what is known?
The issue was raised during a discussion of cooperation with Africa. This was stated by the head of the President's Office, Kyrylo Budanov, at the CEO Club.
According to him, now state authorities must urgently review the list of countries whose citizens are considered “migration-risky.” This is being done against the backdrop of a personnel shortage in Ukraine. However, not everything is so simple:
- Budanov pointed out that along with the relaxation of rules, serious risks remain – both security and social.
- For example, there are many cases where foreigners use official employment only as a way to get to Ukraine.
- This is especially true for workers from Central Asian countries.
They come here, get a permit and go ahead… You've encountered problems when certain workers came to you, you registered them, and the next day they said: “Goodbye.” I'll even tell you using the example of our foreign legion that we created – the same thing,
– said Budanov.
What legal problems may arise?
Another problem is legal. Employers cannot bear full responsibility for a foreigner's stay in Ukraine throughout the entire validity period of their work permit. And this seriously complicates any changes in the system.
In addition, Budanov directly admitted that current procedures for registering foreigners are often more like a way to fill the budget than a real tool for regulating the labor market.
In addition to updating the list of “risky countries”, the experience of other European countries, including Poland, is also being considered. They have already developed mechanisms for controlling labor migrants that help avoid situations where people come to work and then actually “disappear” and live outside the legal framework.
Where in Ukraine is there the greatest shortage of workers and will migrant workers help?
Ukraine will have to compete for labor migrants and the return of its citizens, but will not be able to fully meet the need for hundreds of thousands of workers even after the war ends. This was stated by labor market expert Vasyl Voskoboynyk in a commentary for Channel 24 .
The outflow of people abroad and the excess of mortality over birth rate leads to a decrease in the population of Ukraine.
Vasyl Voskoboynyk
Head of the Migration Policy Office, President of the All-Ukrainian Association of International Employment Companies
The shortage of people in our country affects all sectors of the economy. The education system lacks teachers, healthcare lacks doctors and nurses, and the military lacks engineers. There is a shortage of people in the construction industry and agriculture. Every sector of Ukraine's economy needs workers. Last year, 75% of Ukrainian businesses said they had problems recruiting staff and filling existing vacancies.
According to Vasyl Voskoboynyk, the construction industry of Ukraine will be able to accept the largest number of potential workers . However, in order to attract them, transparent and clear employment conditions must be created.
Purely mathematically, if we have 300,000 deaths, we need to attract 300,000 migrants per year. But this is impossible, because people will still look for higher wages, less bureaucracy in employment and more opportunities to move their families over time. First of all, we will need “blue collar” workers: ordinary builders, bricklayers, concrete workers, locksmiths, plumbers, welders, all people of working professions,
– says the expert.
Labor market news 2026 in Ukraine
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Ukraine is facing a shortage of workers, especially in construction, trade, services and technical professions, but people aged 55+ are often ignored. More than half of companies in construction admit that the shortage of workers is hindering their development.
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The main reasons for employee layoffs in Ukraine are: salary (31%), mobilization (24%), burnout (16%), etc. Companies try to retain employees through salary increases (27%), flexible work formats (6%).
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The State Employment Service reported that in the first quarter of 2026, employers were able to fill only 61,000 of the 148,000 vacancies submitted by 27,000 employers. The largest shortage of personnel is observed among certain blue-collar professions.