Berlin: Ganna Nicholska is back in disappointment from the position of an insurance company ready to hire Ukrainian refugees in Berlin. “I don’t speak German,” she stops and explains her English. A 42-year-old trained doctor escaped from Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine “with a backpack and her daughter” in March, her sister Olena Nikitoshikina, 36, who speaks fluent German. ) Told AFP.
Nicholska wants to stay in Germany, but “I need to get a degree and I need to speak German, but it takes a long time,” says Nikitoshikina, who is having a hard time finding a job in her field. Stated. This week, about 1,000 Ukrainians appeared at a corporate stand gathered at the Berlin Chamber of Commerce (IHK) for a job fair.
According to the United Nations, three months after the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which caused a massive outflow of more than 6 million people, Germany accepted more Ukrainians than any other country except bordering countries. rice field. German officials estimate that more than 700,000 people have arrived from Ukraine since February 24, but it is unknown how many continue in third countries.
Lack of human resources
In Berlin, about 44,000 Ukrainians are applying for permanent residence. After the first few busy weeks have settled down, refugees (mostly women) are now aiming to integrate and earn a living. IHK’s Yvonne Meyer said about 60 employers, including hotels, private clinics and construction companies, attended job fairs. With the aging population and low unemployment rate, Europe’s largest economy faces labor shortages in many sectors, making Ukraine’s newcomers an attractive option in industry, retail and healthcare. It is considered.
The German Federal Employment Agency’s Employment Institute reports that 1.69 million jobs are currently unfilled in the country. This is a new record. “It’s a very good opportunity for us because we’re still looking for personnel,” said a recruiter at the Street Cleaning Service (BSR) in Berlin at the fair.
Some companies, such as the upscale restaurant Grill Royal Group and Polycam Health Clinic, have begun offering new staff German courses. However, none of the jobs that Yuliia Bokk is interested in offer this possibility. “It’s not enough for me to speak English. I ask everyone, and they all tell me” learn basic German and come back “,” said a good job in retail at Kieu. Said a 24-year-old woman who did.
Syria precedent
Nevertheless, Bock considers himself lucky to be in Germany. Since June 1, Ukrainian refugees have been enrolled in social security services, benefiting from state support of up to € 449 ($ 481) per month. She also launched a free “integrated course” that introduces German language and culture for six months. According to the Immigration and Refugee Authority (BAMF), about 80,000 Ukrainians are already registered.
“The course is in great demand and the structure was already in place as many refugees from Syria or Afghanistan arrived in Germany in 2015,” said Martin Eckermann, a BAMF consultant. In 2015, Germany opened its borders to more than a million people fleeing war and misery, and the number of asylum seekers working in Germany has more than six-fold since then.
23-year-old Daria Tatarenko, with a degree in economics from the business and energy sector, applied for a job at a bakery “because she doesn’t have to speak German.” This is a temporary solution for a young woman who fled Kyiv in March. “I am grateful that the Germans have helped us a lot, but I want to go home after the war. It’s my home, so it’s my country,” she said. – AFP
