External labor migration in Ukraine within 2014–2017

Abstract

Background. The continued economic pressure of the Russian Federation with the use of pricing policy in the field of energy supplies to Ukraine, the annexation of the Crimea and the beginning of an armed confrontation on the Donbass negatively affected the development of the domestic economy, which resulted in an increase in the scope of external labor migration. Redistribution of employment between different branches of domestic production, due to changes in demand and supply of labor, was an important factor in labor migration. The motivation of moving a part of Ukrainian workers to European countries seems to be based on a much wider range of factors, the definition of which is important for the formation of a state policy aimed at preventing the outflow of skilled personnel abroad.
Analysis of recent research and publications. Some aspects of the chosen topic of research are presented in the works of A. Arseienko, N. Tolstykh, A. Gaidutsky, I. Prybytkova, where the factors causing the emigration of part of the able-bodied population from Ukraine were determined, as well as the main directions of labor migration and the consequences of the growth of its volumes for the economy of Ukraine. At the same time, the change of the vector of external labor migration under conditions of the aggravation of armed confrontation on the Donbass and the deepening of the process of European integration of Ukraine was left out the attention of researchers.
The aim of the study is to identify the main tendencies of external labor migration, taking into account changes in its main directions in connection with the deepening of European integration of Ukraine and the temporary loss of control over a part of Ukrainian territories.
Materials and methods. The statistical research data, data from the State Migration Service of Ukraine, separate legal acts and the statements made by representatives of the top management of Ukraine were used in the study. By observing the principles of objectivity, a combination of historical and logical analysis, statistical and behavioral methods of scientific research were used.
Results. The main factors determining the conditions and nature of external labor migration in Ukraine during the period of 2014–2017 are investigated. Its main directions are determined in conditions of increasing competition in the labor market, military operations on the Donbass and the economic crisis. The specificity of demand for qualified specialists in the conditions of deepening of European integration and formation of the state policy in the field of employment of the population is highlighted.
Conclusion. During 2014–2017 the change of the main direction of labor migration of Ukrainian citizens took place: due to the decrease of migrants to Russia, the number of migrant workers who worked in the EU territory has sharply increased. The reason for such a change was not so much the aggressive actions of the Russian Federation in relation to Ukraine, but rather the relatively better working conditions and payment in European countries. The growth of labor migration abroad, caused by the crisis of the Ukrainian economy and the slow implementation of reforms, has led to a shortage of skilled workers in a number of specialties. A similar tendency has come to the features, which define it as one of the threats to the national security of the state. Against the backdrop of economic problems, an increase in the accumulations of Ukrainian laborers has become significant. This tendency seems rather threatening given that for some regions of Ukraine (mostly Western ones), the volumes of investments initiated by labor migrants significantly outperformed direct foreign ones. The identified trends in external labor migration can eventually become a problem that Ukraine cannot successfully overcome while remaining a low-paid country, which is characterized by an increase in the number of foreign labor migrants (including at the expense of highly skilled workers). This can greatly complicate the introduction of innovative technologies in Ukraine, the implementation of up-to-date state programs for the development of industry and agriculture.