Only 1 in 5 Ukrainian refugees in Germany employed

Currently, in Germany, there are 1.1 million Ukrainian war refugees. However, only one in five is employed, with the rest receiving benefits, as the German "Bild" reported.

"Bild" notes that out of the 716,000 refugees of working age, only 21 percent, approximately 113,000 Ukrainians, have a job that contributes to social security.

The tabloid spoke with Ukrainians living in Germany to find out why they are not working.

"The benefits we receive are very good, and we feel comfortable in Germany. At some point, I would like to look for a job," said Marharyta Timofieiera to the newspaper.

"I will soon arrange a place in nursery (for my son - ed.), then I can attend a language school. And then I would like to work again as a confectioner. My husband stayed in Ukraine – he works there and sends me money as often as he can," explained 31-year-old Anastasiia.

"The German employment office only offers me simple jobs with low pay. Honestly: it's not worth it! I have no motivation for it," said Yurii to "Bild".

Last year, a report by the EWL platform and Eastern Europe Studies at the University of Warsaw showed that 59 per cent of people who moved from Poland to Germany had not worked in Poland. In the surveyed group, 31 per cent found employment in Germany. Only 13 per cent consider returning to Poland, and 38 per cent exclude such an option.

The chief analyst at the Gremi Personal Analytical Center, Yurij Grygorenko, pointed out that 25 per cent of Ukrainians who came to Poland about two years ago are refugees who left their country right after the full-scale war began.

"In the public debate, refugees are often equated with economic migrants, but they should not be because these people have completely different life priorities and plans for the future. The decision to emigrate is personal, but countries have many mechanisms to encourage settling in their country. For example, Germany recently adopted measures reducing the years required to obtain citizenship, and Canada, which mostly attracts specialized talents - Grygorenko highlighted.