Germany faces challenges integrating Ukrainian refugees into workforce

Germany has become home to the largest share of Ukrainian refugees in the European Union, hosting 1,140,705 individuals as of late October, or 27.2% of the 4.2 million Ukrainians who fled to the EU, according to Eurostat. Despite the influx, only about a third of working-age Ukrainian refugees in Germany have found employment—a situation largely attributed to the country’s adaptation programs.

While Germany offers comprehensive support to refugees, including €563 in monthly social benefits per adult, housing subsidies, and healthcare, the road to employment is long. Daria Mikhailyshyna, senior economist at Ukraine’s Center for Economic Strategy (CES), notes that integration courses—which are often required before refugees can enter the workforce—can take six to seven months to complete.

Adding to the delays, refugees may wait up to six months just to receive residency permits that allow them to enroll in language courses. The limited availability of course spots further exacerbates the problem, especially in smaller cities.

“It’s not easy to learn German,” shared a Ukrainian refugee working at a reception center in Germany. Speaking anonymously to NV, she detailed her own experience navigating the system: “With a B1 language certificate, you can start working in factories, but for higher qualifications, you need C1 or C2, which takes much longer to achieve.”

Germany’s long-term strategy
Germany’s approach to integrating refugees appears to be a long-term investment, aiming to ensure meaningful economic and social contributions. Unlike other EU nations, where more refugees enter low-skill jobs quickly, Germany prioritizes language acquisition and professional alignment.

CES data indicates that 42% of Ukrainian refugees in Germany are either enrolled in integration courses or pursuing higher education, while 23% were employed as of late 2023.

“It’s a step-by-step process: registration, language courses, then employment,” the refugee explained. “If you don’t follow this system, you lose benefits—and, most importantly, health insurance.”

Broader context in Europe
While Germany leads in hosting Ukrainian refugees, Poland and the Czech Republic follow, with 983,880 and 379,370 refugees, respectively. However, the employment rates among refugees in these countries are notably higher, as their integration systems emphasize rapid workforce entry over extensive training.

Germany’s strategy is not without criticism, but many experts and policymakers see it as a calculated move to build a sustainable labor force for the future.

Source Link