In 2022, Ukrainians were more actively offered jobs on the Estonian labor market. In particular, there were more vacancies for those who do not know the language of the host country. Currently, there are much fewer such offers and the salary level is minimal. To get a better job, you need to learn Estonian.
Given the situation, the country’s government has initiated several programs that will help Ukrainians find employment in Estonia.
Ever since the beginning of the full-scale war and the arrival of the first refugees of the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund (an analogue of the Ukrainian Employment Service) created a special site on job search for Ukrainians. At that time, refugees were offered not only elementary work, but also vacancies for highly qualified specialists. It was about employment for IT specialists, doctors, etc.
In the summer of 2022, there were about 7,000 job offers for Ukrainians on the website created by the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund. At the moment, there are significantly fewer vacancies – about 2.5 thousand. At the same time, only 775 offers did not require knowledge of Estonian or English. With knowledge of only Ukrainian or Russian, they are offered jobs in cleaning companies, public catering or service establishments.
To improve the situation on the labor market, the Estonian Refugee Council (Eesti Pagulasabi) created employment course for Ukrainians. It consists of five modules and lasts about a month. Classes for the first group of refugees will begin in June. About 150 Ukrainians will be able to take the course.
Currently, about 33,000 refugees from Ukraine have residence permits in Etonia.
