Ukraine could face an influx of illegal migrants

The labour market in the country might undergo drastic upheavals

Bill No. 6489, which is actually “blesses” hiring employees without official registration, in the case of adoption may lead to an influx of illegal migrants in Ukraine.

This would have serious consequences for the economy and for national security.

The intensification of labor migration

The controversial bill, adopted in first reading, provides for a reduction of fines for hiring without official registration and easing of state control. In fact, the initiative of deputies will untie the hands of employers who will massively save on tax payments and social guarantees for employees. In this regard, the labor market in the country may undergo radical upheavals.

The bill inevitably will intensify labor migration, primarily to the EU. Poland, Hungary, Lithuania already has simplified rules of employment for Ukrainians, the Czech Republic has significantly increased the quota of “working cards”. These States are faced with the problem of labor shortage, which is planning to cover the expense of the Ukrainians. For example, a year ago, the Czech government launched a programme to attract skilled personnel from Ukraine.

Improved working conditions for “guest workers”. For example, after the introduction of a visa-free regime in Poland increased wages for Ukrainians. Before the hour rates averaged 9-10 PLN, now 14-25. Polish employers were more likely to offer workers free housing.

While the European business is a competitive struggle for the Ukrainian employees, the Parliament comes to their social rights. The trend in illegal employment may provoke an increase in the migration flow to the EU. Salaries are much higher there, and the social vulnerability of workers in Ukraine destroys the motivation to work in their country. Because bill No. 6489 may deprive employees hospital payments, assistance for health, paid leave and other rights guaranteed by law. Without formalizing social security will become an empty phrase.

The influx of migrants

The situation there is another side of the coin. The labor market in Ukraine may try to capture illegal migrants. The Ukrainians, who will go to seek a better life in the EU and create the appropriate niche. And employers will be more profitable to hire illegal immigrants from Asia and Russia that do not require official registration and social guarantees.

The problem is in the latent form exists today. Only during July in one of the Nikolaev area caught 57 violators of immigration laws. In General, from April, the country has not missed more than 370 potential illegal immigrants who were going to spend 83 weapons, 493 ammunition and more than 20 kg of drugs.

Last year there were more than six thousand illegal immigrants, of which 1.5 thousand – came from the aggressor. And it already poses a threat to national security and from the point of view of intelligence-gathering, and from the point of view of influence on the mood of the Ukrainian society.

The influx of illegal immigrants from Central Asia, in turn, carries the risk of spreading a radical Islamist ideology and, as a result of terrorist attacks. ISIS actively recruiting fighters in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and other countries of the region. According to some, a terrorist organization fighting about five thousand citizens of these States.

The invasion of illegal immigrants, among other things, may lead to an increase of xenophobic sentiments in Ukraine, similar to some EU countries. It is the migration crisis provoked a deep crisis in the European Union, which led to internal ideological split, Brexit and the strengthening of eurosceptics.

In addition, the labor market in Ukraine is just one of the areas that will suffer in case of adoption of bill No. 6489. The initiative of the people’s representatives would damage the Pension Fund, the process of legalization of the economy and jeopardize macroeconomic stability.

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