Written by Teodor Georgiev
Published on 10.08.2022 • Edited on 11.08.2022 at 08:54
Just 7% of Ukrainian refugees looking for a job–half of which are between 30 and 44 years old and 70% of which are women—have found one. Photo: Matic Zorman / Maison Moderne
Of the 910 Ukrainians registered with Luxembourg job agency Adem, fewer than 1 in 10 have been successful in their search for employment.
Approximately 4,200 Ukrainian refugees have been granted provisional protection status in Luxembourg with 6.4 million having left the country following Russia’s invasion. Speaking to radio 100,7 head of employer services Laurent Peusch confirmed that 7% of those looking for a job–half of whom are between 30 and 44 years old and 70% of whom are women—have found one.
One in five Ukrainian refugees looking for employment in Luxembourg has a high school diploma and 70% have a university degree.
“If people have a certain level of education, it may be easier for them to get into a job which may not be the same as the one they exercised before,” said Peusch speaking to 100,7.
The language barrier appears to be the biggest issue according to Peusch, who says most Ukrainian refugees’ communication is limited to English and that French classes would be a first step towards entering the workforce.
Job requests are processed at Adem’s central office in Hamm and five employees are exclusively assigned to handling the applications.
Following the wave of Ukrainian refugees beginning to settle in European countries, the European Union introduced a temporary protection directive, allowing Ukrainians fleeing the conflict to bypass the usual administrative procedures in place in early March.
Adem immediately announced that Ukraine residents fleeing to the grand duchy will be able to legally find employment here. The European Commission has also set up a tool that helps Ukrainian refugees translate their qualifications and diplomas.