Petition against mass employment of foreigners has gained the necessary votes: the government must consider it

A petition calling for a change in the state policy on attracting foreign labor to Ukraine has gained the required 25,000 votes. The document must now be considered by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

The author of the initiative calls on the government to abandon the course of mass employment of foreigners and focus on the return of Ukrainians from abroad, booking workers in critical industries, and supporting the national labor market.

What is proposed in the petition

The document appeared on the government portal on May 11, and on May 19 it passed the required threshold of support.

Among the key demands:

creation of a State Strategy for Protecting the National Labor Market;
launch of the “Labor Return” program for Ukrainians who are ready to return from abroad;
guaranteed reservation from mobilization for workers in strategic industries;
restrictions on the employment of foreigners in areas where the shortage of personnel can be covered by Ukrainian workers;
introduction of an additional fee for employers for hiring foreign labor.

Separately, the author proposes to introduce mandatory exams in the Ukrainian language and history for foreigners, as well as mechanisms for involving foreign citizens of working age in the defense of the state through contract service.

The petition also mentions the possibility of canceling residence and work permits in case of violation of the law or “disrespect for national values”.

Why the issue has become relevant

The topic of labor migrants is being actively discussed due to the acute shortage of personnel that arose against the background of mobilization, the departure of some Ukrainians abroad, and demographic losses.

As Forbes Ukraine reports, earlier the head of the Presidential Office instructed to review the list of countries for simplified attraction of labor migrants. It includes about 70 countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Morocco, Tajikistan, and Egypt.

Despite the complex registration procedures, Ukrainian companies are already actively attracting workers from these countries. According to the State Employment Center, only Bangladeshi citizens received 599 work permits in Ukraine.

The greatest demand for foreign labor is currently observed in:

construction;
industry;
logistics;
trade;
the service sector.

Business representatives explain the need for labor migrants by the shortage of personnel. At the same time, critics of such a policy emphasize that the state should first of all create conditions for the return of Ukrainians and support its own labor market.