The conflict taking place between Russia and Ukraine has had (and is continuing to have) significant ramifications for the entire world. Aside from the well-publicized impact on energy prices, the war has also resulted in the displacement of millions of Ukrainians.

As of July of this year, the United Nations estimates that over 5 million Ukrainian refugees have been forced from their homes and are residing elsewhere in Europe. Although these nations are more than willing to accept the Ukrainian citizens fleeing war, it can create difficulties. As the conflict rages on, countries must decide how best to manage the sudden influx of working-age war refugees. One option is to integrate them within the labor force.

Understanding refugee employment rights

Employment rights vary based on jurisdiction so employers should always carry out due diligence before looking to employ a refugee from abroad. Fortunately, many countries have launched initiatives to ease the route of Ukrainian war refugees into legitimate work.   

In the UK, for example, the Ukraine Extension Scheme provides individuals with three years’ leave to remain in the country, during which they will be able to work, study and access public funds. Across Europe, similar policies are in place, such as the Tent Partnership for Refugees, which aims to integrate displaced Ukrainian women into the workforce throughout the EU.

For refugees that are not yet old enough to enter the workforce, there are also schemes to support access to education. The European Training Foundation has set up a resource hub to provide information on how Ukrainian refugees can access education and training in the EU. Given that almost half of the refugees from Ukraine are estimated to be school-age children, these initiatives are essential to providing individuals with a sense of stability and access to vital skills training.

How employment solutions can help

Of course, the sudden arrival of thousands of new potential workers to a country presents challenges for employers and government agencies alike. How should counties best manage this new influx of skills, creating the right environment for employers and employees to flourish?

Public employment solutions (PES) can help integrate war refugees by using powerful taxonomy, including the ESCO classification of European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations, as well aligning language skills and competency standards more generally. PES software can empower jobseekers to use their education and language skills, giving them a sense of purpose and allowing them to contribute to the economy in their new home country.

Empowering refugee contribution

At WCC, we understand the benefits of providing clear routes to employment for refugees and their host nations. Our employment solutions, such as our Employment Platform, contain a range of fully configurable software modules designed specifically to meet the needs of both Public Employment Services and Staffing Agencies. They are flexible and scalable so labor markets can integrate refugees from Ukraine and elsewhere.

Meanwhile, our EP Taxonomy Manager, which includes advanced language technology, can provide you with efficient job matching so you can identify if a candidate is right for a particular job role even if they come from an education and skills background that initially appears substantially different from the one listed within your job description. With PES solutions like those offered by WCC, these skills can be put to good use, benefiting refugees and their new homes.