On April 9, 2026, an online expert discussion titled “Managed Immigration” was held, organized by the Mykhailo Ptukha Institute of Demography and Quality of Life Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the All-Ukrainian Association of International Employment Companies, and the public organization “Office of Migration Policy,” with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation.
The event was part of a series of public and expert discussions dedicated to finalizing the draft Strategy for Ukraine’s State Migration Policy until 2035 (labor resource aspect)—a document proposing systemic solutions for the return of citizens, the integration of internally displaced persons, the recruitment of foreign specialists, and the improvement of migration process management.
At the center of the discussion were issues that are becoming decisive for the country’s future: how to respond to the labor shortage, whether Ukraine is ready for the controlled recruitment of foreign workers, and what a model of managed immigration should look like, one that balances economic needs with national security concerns.
According to expert forecasts, Ukraine will face a shortage of millions of workers in the coming decade. In this context, immigration is gradually shifting from the theoretical realm to the sphere of practical government policy. At the same time, participants emphasized that this is not about mass immigration, but rather a managed, selective process with clear rules for selection and integration.
Oleksiy Poznyak, Head of the Migration Department at the Mykhailo Ptukha Institute of Demography and Quality of Life Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, emphasized: “The strategy involves creating a mechanism to attract and select potential foreign migrants to meet labor market needs that cannot be met through domestic resources. In particular, this involves encouraging foreign citizens to study in Ukraine with the prospect of attracting successful graduates to the Ukrainian labor market. Around the world, foreign graduates of higher education institutions in a given country are considered the most desirable group of migrants.”
Iryna Maidanik, a senior researcher at the Institute of Demography, highlighted the social dimension of the issue: “At present, Ukrainian society is not yet prepared for an increase in immigration. While experts recognize its necessity for the country’s demographic and economic recovery, this awareness is still lacking among the general public. It is already important to take into account the risks of social tension, linked primarily to the fear of job loss rather than actual competition between immigrants and the local population, as well as the potential rise in xenophobic sentiments and social prejudices. This is precisely why a proactive communication strategy is critically important—one that explains the role of immigration in post-war recovery and alleviates public fears.”
Olga Makogon, Ph.D. in Law, project manager at the Reforms Office of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, emphasized the importance of domestic conditions: “It is now time to view population migration not as an isolated issue, but as part of the overall socio-economic ecosystem. At the state level, there is a shift in approaches to migration management as a whole. Most of the decisions that will determine the development of managed labor migration lie within the framework of Ukraine’s European integration.”
Yevhen Gostyuminsky, Acting Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine, emphasized the importance of protecting labor standards: “The main safeguard must be a systematic approach that eliminates the very economic incentive for the deterioration of working conditions. If hiring a foreign worker costs the employer the same as hiring a Ukrainian citizen, the incentive for abuse disappears. To achieve this, it is necessary to ensure compliance with the principle of equal pay for equal work, with real sanctions for violations rather than mere formal fines, which are easier to pay than to comply with the rules. At the same time, trade unions insist on their participation in two key processes—the conclusion of collective agreements that establish minimum standards for all workers regardless of citizenship, as well as monitoring their actual implementation at enterprises where foreign citizens work.”
Dmytro Degtyar, co-founder of HRD Club Ukraine, highlighted the business community’s position: “The main requirements businesses have for foreign workers are a willingness to work, discipline, and responsibility. At the same time, to effectively attract workers, the state must remove excessive bureaucratic barriers. In particular, current requirements for obtaining long-term visas are often unrealistic for line staff—employees are required to prove significant personal financial resources and provide documents that do not reflect the actual conditions of labor migration. For managed immigration to work effectively, mechanisms must be introduced whereby an employer can assume financial guarantees for an employee. This will make the recruitment process fast, transparent, and aligned with the needs of the economy.”
Summarizing the results of the discussion, participants agreed that managed immigration should become part of a comprehensive state policy that combines the return of Ukrainians, the development of the domestic labor market, and the recruitment of foreign specialists. The key challenge remains the establishment of transparent rules, effective selection and integration mechanisms, as well as public trust in such decisions.
“Essentially, we are talking about the need to strike a balance. On the one hand, there is the economy’s need for people, without whom recovery and development are impossible. On the other hand, there is the need to preserve social cohesion, security, and trust within society. And this balance does not arise on its own—it must be designed at the level of state policy,“ noted Vasyl Voskoboynik, President of the All-Ukrainian Association of International Employment Companies and head of the public organization ”Office of Migration Policy.”
Expert discussions are ongoing as part of the project “Development of Ukraine’s State Migration Policy Strategy until 2035: Labor Resource Aspect,” funded by the International Renaissance Foundation.
Source: Interfax-Ukraine
