Background information

On 14 June 2022, the European Commission published a Recommendation on the recognition of academic and professional qualifications of people fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Although so far the number of working age refugees entering the EU labour market is not significant, it is expected that the number of applicants will increase. The Commission points out that quick and effective integration into the labor market is important for both host communities and those fleeing war so that they can rebuild their lives, continue skills development and then ultimately support reconstruction in Ukraine.

Content of measure

Member States are invited to undertake the following action in the area of access to jobs and training and recognizing existing skills/ investing in new ones.

• Providing information on the support available to people fleeing war, such as counseling and protection against discrimination.
• Facilitate the integration into the labour market of people benefiting from temporary or national protection, in particular by: encouraging them to register with local public employment services; reflecting the specific needs of those fleeing war, including paying particular attention to access to childcare and school education; providing support for employers hiring refugees; opening entrepreneurship support programs for newcomers.
• Ensuring the widest possible access to the labour market, e.g. by counteracting the risk of exploitation and undeclared work, which should be ensured by the cooperation of law enforcement agencies and labour inspection.
• Ensuring that people's skills and qualifications can be valued, assessed and quickly recognized, regardless of the availability of their documentation.
• Providing targeted opportunities for up-skilling and re-training, VET or practical workplace experience as soon as possible in cooperation with education and training providers, social partners and the private sector.
• Ensuring quick access to initial vocational education and training, including apprenticeships, and explore the possibility of extending the permanent residence of Ukrainian apprentices.
• Providing adult war refugees with access to general and higher education.

EU funds can support Member States' measures.

Use of measure

n.a.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Migrants or refugees in employment	Applies to all businesses	Migrants or refugees

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Public employment service Public support service providers	European Funds National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Unknown
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

Social partners were not involved at this stage, however Member States are encouraged by the Commission to include them in the implementation of certain elements of the measure at national level.

Views and reactions

European social partners did not comment on the guidelines, however already in March 2022 both the ETUC (trade unions) and BusinessEurope (employers) made it clear that they expected a mapping of the labour market integration path for refugees from Ukraine.

Sources

• 17 March 2019: Dealing with Ukrainian refugee crisis not losing sight of EU economic migration policy goals (www.businesseurope.eu)
• 17 March 2022: ETUC resolution on Ukraine (www.etuc.org)
• 14 June 2022: Ukraine: Commission presents guidance to help people fleeing war access jobs, training and adult learning (ec.europa.eu)