As the war in Ukraine is blighting Ukrainians, immigrants are scattering and migrating their way throughout Europe. In countries such as Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic, local authorities have started offering jobs specifically to refugees.
(“Refugees signing up for potential jobs at a center in Warsaw.” by Maciek Nabrdalik, The New York Times)
The compact was initiated to help those displaced as well as to fill up their own labor shortages due to the Coronavirus shutdown before, as the countries strive to recover from their previous economic loss. The job offers range from retail and factory workers to high-level engineering jobs. Unlike other previous refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and etc, Ukrainians received instant help from the European Union: they are being placed on the fast track for protection and employment. In addition, governments are waiving visas and providing almost immediate opportunities to education and labor markets. Nonetheless, there are more international corporations taking up the responsibility to hire refugees not only just from Ukraine but also from other countries as well. Tent Partnership for Refugees, a nonprofit that advocates for the international business community to embrace refugees, announced that 45 companies are committed to employing 22,725 refugees to full-time positions in the U.S. Chain corporations have claimed some long-term goals for this plan: Marriott and Hilton announce that they will each hire 1,500 refugees in the next three years, Amazon says it will hire 5,000 refugees in the next three years, and Blackstone, the investment firm, will hire 2,000 people internationally in the next three years. With all the planning and commitment, the future of these immigrants will be soon moving in the right direction. As for the countries, their economy will also expand since a bigger workforce is joined.
Most refugees are women and children because of the volatile situation in Ukraine, Ukrainian men, ages 18 to 60, have to pick up arms and defend their country, so childcare has been one of the contentions for them. In Poland, which is geographically close to Ukraine, people entered the country too rapidly. At one point, schools are over capacity while kids’ moms look for work during the day. Fortunately, companies have been actively trying to alleviate the moms’ burdens by establishing on-site kindergartens or daycare centers.
First and second-world countries should try to engage themselves in helping third-world countries’ refugees in terms of including them in the hiring process, granting them the chance to be educated, and having lesser restricted immigration laws enforced. Altering the immigration law for people like refugees in urgent citations should be a priority in the government since people’s lives would be in great danger if they aren’t able to shelter themselves or feed themselves. And as one of the countries who are in the privilege of having available space or resources, it is reasonable to provide those who are in desperate need of any sort of aid.
Sources:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/21/business/refugees-ukraine-jobs.html
- https://thehill.com/policy/finance/3651791-amazon-hotel-chains-among-firms-vowing-to-hire-20000-refug
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-07/hobart-business-hiring-refugees-and-migrants/101468734
1 comment:
The large amount of support that is present surrounding Ukraine refugees is great. In times of war, it can be incredibly difficult for refugees to find an escape, and the ability to build a new life outside of their home country. With such great support for Ukrainian refugees, whether it be in terms of job opportunities, housing and shelter, and food and general supplies. An interesting point that you touched on a little bit is the European Union's support of refugees from Ukraine, in contrast to middle eastern countries like Syria and Iraq. Many middle eastern refugees were shown closed gates, and offered no help in times of needed. The contrast in the support of Ukrainian refugees is quite alarming, and raises questions about issues correlating racism and discrimination of aid due to skin color and appearance.
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