The impact of the war on income and employment in Ukraine
The Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis, causing large losses of life, massive destruction of infrastructure, and immense human suffering. As of late September, more than 7.2 million Ukrainian refugees were recorded across Europe, and 6.9 million have had to relocate within the country.
The ILO estimates that employment in 2022 will be 15.5 per cent (2.4 million jobs) below the 2021, pre-conflict, level. This projection is not as high as the ILO's estimate in April 2022, soon after the conflict began, that 4.8 million jobs would be lost. The positive change is a consequence of the reduction in the number of areas of Ukraine under occupation or with active hostilities. However, this partial labour market recovery is modest and highly fragile.
As the conflict drags on, more Ukrainians could lose their jobs and millions could be pushed into poverty, which could offset the country's development efforts.
ILO's immediate response
With support from its long-standing partners in Ukraine, the ILO rapidly re-purposed US$1.3 million of its existing funds to deliver humanitarian aid and income support. These funds have allowed the ILO to provide 7,750 bednights for displaced people in Ukraine, and 3,550 bednights for Ukrainian refugees in Moldova. ILO also rapidly trained 300 Ukrainian labour inspectors on psychological first aid and developed an awareness raising campaign on the risks of human trafficking and labour exploitation targeting refugees, most of whom are women. As of late September, this campaign has reached out to 1.2 million displaced Ukrainians. All Moldovan labour inspectors received a refreshment training on human trafficking and forced labour, with a focus on persons fleeing the war i Ukraine. With ILO support, the State Labour Inspection provided 54,000 businesses, including relocated ones with information on conducting business during martial law, and on employment relationships. To date, 100,700 visits were made to the SLI website www.pratsia.in.ua.
Scaling-up support based on needs
While fighting continues, some areas of Ukraine are starting recovery efforts and others far behind the frontlines continue to work and produce. For this reason, the ILO's work in Ukraine combines the continued delivery of humanitarian aid with economic stabilisation and job preservation interventions, depending on the security situation and needs in the different regions of the country.
At the same time, the ILO is stepping-up support to facilitate the protection and socioeconomic inclusion of refugees in neighbouring countries, particularly in Moldova, in coordination with the Government, UN partners, and local civil society.
Delivery of humanitarian aid, such as shelter and food, for displaced people in Ukraine and Moldova
Inclusion of internally displaced people and refugees in labour markets and education, including by facilitating the recognition of educational credentials and leveraging e-learning solutions developed during the pandemic
Prevention of labour exploitation and human trafficking of displaced populations
Income support through the facilitation of social payments and cash for work programmes
Economic stabilization measures in relatively safe regions of Ukraine through private sector development, local employment partnerships, entrepreneurship training, and relocation of businesses
Financial support to trade unions and employers' organizations for upgrading services to members (business relocation and business matchmaking with aid industry job referral and legal advisory services)
Continue to support development in Ukraine by working with the Government on priority reforms in selected areas (labour law reform, e-learning solutions).
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Prevention through information: ILO campaign on Ukrainian railways to prevent labour exploitation among refugees
The ILO and the State Labour Inspectorate of Ukraine came through with an information campaign on Ukrainian railways that warns people on the move about situations that may lead to labour exploitation.
The war in Ukraine ignited massive population movement and internal displacement. About 4.2 million people left to seek safety abroad, and 7.2 million are internally displaced in the country. Approximately 85% of the refugees are women and children, traveling without the men in the family who are drafted or stay at home. These transfers are not without danger. When their reserves run thin, usually after a couple of weeks, people start to look for employment in their new location to sustain themselves and their families. As it sometimes happens, they might be tempted to accept work without contract, or their documents are taken away, and they may wind up exploited or in extreme cases as victims of forced labour or child labour.
In late March 2022, the Government of Ukraine approached the ILO with a request to come up with a pragmatic plan to prevent the exploitation and trafficking of people on the move.
In late March 2022, the Government of Ukraine approached the ILO with a request to come up with a pragmatic plan to prevent the exploitation and trafficking of people on the move. In this emergency situation, the ILO together with its constituents swung into action. Together with the Railways Trade Unions and the Ukrainian Railways, it developed key messages warning passengers about the risks of human trafficking and forced labour. Since the end of March, these messages and a video are screened in all inter-city trains within Ukraine. The information is shown 6-7 times per journey cost free thanks to the Ukrainian Railways. The Railways Trade Unions printed posters with the same messages. These posters are displayed at the entrance of the train carriages. In addition, further updates are planned for the web portal of the Construction Workers Trade Union of Ukraine to fine-tune its content related to human trafficking and the risks of exploitation.
Information can go a long way, especially for people in vulnerable situations. The messages explain the imminent dangers and provide hotline numbers both in Ukraine and in the EU countries in case they need help. Furthermore, employees of the State Labour Inspectorate set up camp in transport hubs and provide counselling to travellers in order to prevent situations that can put them to risk.
https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/WCMS_374809/lang--en/index.htm