Latest news with #UkrainianRefugees
Japan Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Contrary to political rhetoric, Ukrainian refugees boosting Poland's economy
With a wrench in hand, Ukrainian refugee Oleksandr Belyba is busy repairing a van in a garage in the Polish capital. The 33-year-old is devoted to his work, and wants to stay in Poland, which benefits economically from refugees but where anti-migrant sentiment is rising. "It's impossible not to work in Poland, and Ukrainians are people that can't just sit idle," said Belyba, who spent 13 months on the front line fighting off the Russian invasion, and arrived in Poland half a year ago to work in a repair shop owned by a childhood friend from Dnipro. After the beginning of the war in 2022, Poland opened its borders to millions of refugees and offered them various benefits. Today, most of these benefits are no longer in force, and Ukrainians have the same rights and obligations as Poles. Ukrainian workers and students get access to free health care and education. There are approximately 1.5 million Ukrainians living in Poland, a million of whom are considered refugees and are mostly women and children. Olesia Hryhorash, a tailor working in a dry-cleaning service in a shopping mall in Warsaw, poses for a picture at her sewing machine on June 26. | AFP-JIJI Their presence is highly beneficial to Poland's growing economy, according to a recently published report. Last year, Ukrainian refugees "generated 2.7% of Poland's gross domestic product (GDP)," said the report by Deloitte and UNHCR, the U.N. Refugee Agency. This gain would be "lost" if refugees were to disappear, the report said. Furthermore, refugees "increase the labour supply as both workers and entrepreneurs and expand demand as consumers," Deloitte indicated, underlining that 69% of Ukrainian refugees in Poland work. 'Poles first' The report goes against numerous statements made by Polish nationalist and far-right politicians, who accuse Ukrainians of "taking advantage of Poland." During the recent electoral campaign, the nationalist president-elect Karol Nawrocki had a slogan: "Poland first, Poles first." He called for social benefits to go "above all to Poles" and said they should even "have priority" in queues at the doctor's office. Far-right leader Slawomir Mentzen accused the Ukrainians of treating Poles like "suckers" who are being duped into contributing to their presence in Poland. However, welfare benefits "are not enough to live comfortably in Poland," said Oleh Yarovyi, owner of the Dobro Dobro coffee chain in Warsaw, where 95% of employees are Ukrainian. "Life in Poland isn't very cheap, and to live normally, refugees often need extra work," he said. Olesia Hryhorash, a dry-cleaning service employee in a shopping mall, agreed. "All my friends are working — some even work two jobs," said the 25-year-old, who arrived in Poland on holiday just before the Russian invasion. Vitalii Vizinskyi, a Ukrainian construction company owner, poses for a picture in the garden of a Warsaw embassy where his employees work on laying paving stones on June 24. | AFP-JIJI According to the UNHCR report, Ukrainians in Poland work primarily in lower-income positions, and their arrival did not result in a surge in the unemployment rate, which remains at around 5%. "The economy has benefited from a larger pool of talent, enabling deeper specialization and increased productivity growth," it said. 'Money from Poland' "I didn't take any money from Poland. Everything I have here I earn with my own hands," said Vitalii Vizinskyi, 47, a construction company owner from western Ukraine. "And of course, I pay taxes here," he said. Behind him, his workers — Ukrainians, Belarusians and Poles — were busy laying paving stones in the garden of a Warsaw embassy. Poland has "simplified the registration of Ukrainian businesses, access to education and employment," said Kateryna Glazkova, executive director of the Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs, who lives between Kyiv and Warsaw, where her family has settled. The Polish Economic Institute estimates that Ukrainians set up nearly one in 10 microbusinesses in Poland, mainly in construction and services. A report by the Polish state bank BGK found that tax and social security contributions from Ukrainian migrants totaled around 15.1 billion zlotys (€3.5 billion), while child allowances amounted to around 2.8 billion zlotys. "Because of taxes and contributions to the Polish budget, Ukrainians have returned much more than they received in aid," Glazkova said.
Irish Times
07-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Changes in housing support creating ‘frightening situation' for Ukrainian families
The Government's push to move Ukrainian refugees out of State-run accommodation and into private rental housing has created a 'frightening situation' for families who came to Ireland seeking safety, advocacy groups have warned. The State's reduction of the monthly Accommodation Recognition Payment for those hosting Ukrainians makes it 'even more difficult for these families to find independent housing', Fiona Hurley, chief executive of Nasc, the Migrant & Refugee Rights Centre, has warned. From July 8th, recipients of the ARP will see the payment, which is made in arrears, drop to €600 for the first time. What was previously an €800 monthly payment 'made it more feasible for families' to move on from State accommodation and find a place to live, said Ms Hurley. 'A lot of families see no pathway into housing now, the ARP was really their only opportunity.' READ MORE The ARP is a tax-free monthly State payment for homeowners who provide accommodation to people fleeing the war in Ukraine. Introduced in 2022, the payment was originally set at €400 before increasing to €800 later that year. In June 2025, the payment officially dropped to €600. Undermining community goodwill in the name of budgetary optics or political positioning is a short-sighted move There are 80,031 Ukrainians living in the State under the European Union's Temporary Protection directive, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. Of these, 39,734 people, including nearly 8,800 children, are being hosted by 17,097 Irish homeowners in receipt of the ARP. Dublin is home to the highest number of hosts receiving the ARP followed by Counties Donegal, Cork, Kerry and Mayo. The number of private properties used to house Ukrainian arrivals through the scheme has risen steadily, from 19,222 in January to 21,790 in June. Despite this increase, civil society groups are preparing for a drop in hosting opportunities once the reduced payment reaches people's bank accounts this week. Brian Killoran, national coordinator of the Ukraine Civil Society Forum, says local authorities have warned that up to one-fifth of hosts in some parts of the country may 'disengage'. 'Hosting has provided an alternative to accommodation centres, but if you get a 20 per cent reduction across the board, where do these people go?' said Mr Killoran. Reducing the payment is 'counter-productive to the overall aim of continuing accommodation for those displaced by war', he added. The number of private properties used to house Ukrainian arrivals through the scheme has risen steadily 'The temporary protection directive has been extended until 2027, but there's still a huge question mark around Ukrainians' accommodation and integration.' The Government's failure to mention Ukrainian refugees in its programme for Government is 'staggering', says Mr Killoran. 'The war in Ukraine is still very much a live issue. It's in our interest to provide a clear pathway for integration to the Ukrainian community in Ireland.' A Department of Justice spokesman said Ukrainian refugees could request the support of the Irish Red Cross or their local authority when a hosting arrangement comes to an end. 'If an accommodation solution cannot be found locally, Ukrainian beneficiaries may present at Citywest Transit Hub where a new offer of State -supported emergency accommodation may be made based on their circumstances, and subject to availability,' he said. More than 100 Ukrainians seeking protection continue to arrive in Ireland each week – 114 arrived during the final week of May, and 153 arrived during the first week of June. Meanwhile, the Government has announced plans to relocate nearly 2,500 Ukrainians living in more than 70 State-provided accommodation units between now and December. These housing contracts have been terminated for various reasons, including a 'reduced need overall', so they can be returned to 'tourism, student or private use', according to a statement on the Department of Justice website. From July 8th, recipients of the ARP will see the payment, which is made in arrears, drop to €600 for the first time Desmond Moore, who is hosting a Ukrainian woman and her two sons in a flat connected to his home outside Gorey, Co Wexford, said the ARP cut is 'short-sighted' and 'disrespectful' to hosts. It also risks pushing Ukrainian families into homelessness, which will force the State to spend more money, he added. An ARP means test could be introduced to offer lower support payments to Ukrainians in employment who can afford to pay rent, said Mr Moore. ARP payments could also be tiered based on average regional rents, while the State could introduce a parallel scheme for landlords renting to social housing or low income tenants 'so that Irish citizens get the same benefits', he added. Mr Moore and his wife will not be asking their Ukrainian guests to leave once the payment goes down. However, he is concerned that other hosts with lower incomes will be forced to ask Ukrainians to leave. Those who signed up to the programme for financial reasons may also step away, he adds. 'Ireland's humanitarian response has been largely successful because it has relied on community goodwill,' said Mr Moore. 'Undermining that goodwill in the name of budgetary optics or political positioning is a short-sighted move with potentially long-lasting consequences.'
Irish Times
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Dublin, Cork, Kerry and Donegal hosting highest numbers of Ukrainian refugees, data shows
Counties Dublin , Cork , Kerry and Donegal are hosting the highest numbers of Ukrainian refugees , according to figures published on Thursday. Some 80,031 Ukrainians are living in the State under the European Union 's Temporary Protection directive , data from the Central Statistics Office ( CSO ) show. A total of 113,917 Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTP) have come to the Republid since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. However, nearly a third have since left, according to the latest update in the CSO's Arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland series. In June, the European Council voted to extend the directive, which supports the more than four million Ukrainians who have fled the war, until March 2027. READ MORE Some 46 per cent of Ukrainian BOTPs currently living in the State are female, while 26 per cent are male. Figures show 29 cent of all Ukrainian arrivals are aged under 20. Nearly 17,500 Ukrainian children, who have come to the State since 2022, are now enrolled in Irish schools – 60 per cent at primary level and 40 per cent at secondary. Out of the more than 80,000 Ukrainians still living in the State, 10,504 are based in Dublin city and county, with 6,978 in Co Cork, 6,601 in Co Kerry and 6,502 in Co Donegal. Within Dublin, Clondalkin and the north inner city host the highest number of Ukrainian BOTPs, while in Co Cork, Midleton hosts the largest number, according to local electoral area figures. In Co Kerry, Kenmare hosts the highest number of Ukrainians, while Donegal town and Letterkenny have the largest numbers in that county. [ Ireland to back proposal to extend EU protection for Ukrainian refugees into 2027 Opens in new window ] Counties Galway, Mayo, Wexford, Clare and Limerick are also hosting between 3,000 and 4,000 Ukrainian BOTPs, according to census data. Nearly 40,000 Ukrainian BOTPs are living in private hosted accommodation, with 17,097 Irish hosts in receipt of the Government's Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP). This private accommodation includes housing obtained through the local government Offer a Home scheme, pledges through the Irish Red Cross and private arrangements. In March the Government announced plans to reduce the monthly ARP from €800 to €600. This change came into effect in June, with hosts due to receive their first reduced payment on July 8th. Another 23,400 Ukrainians are currently living in 670 State-supported accommodation centres, according to Government data. However, hundreds of Ukrainians living in nearly 70 of these centres are set to receive correspondence that the contract with their accommodation provider is ending as part of a Government initiative to return centres to tourism, student or private use. Newly arrived Ukrainians BOTPs receive State accommodation for 90 days and a weekly payment of €38.80 for an adult and €29.80 for a child, subject to an income test. More than 21,200 Ukrainian children are in receipt of child benefit, down from 21,774 in April and a peak of 22,558 in February 2024, according to the CSO. Some 10,311 Ukrainian arrivals are receiving pension, illness, disability, caring, supplementary or other financial supports, while 16,145 receive income supports. Some 26,474 Ukrainian arrivals are in employment and earning a mean weekly salary of €538. More than four out of 10 Ukrainians who are working have jobs in the wholesale, transport or accommodation sectors, CSO data shows. Of those Ukrainians with jobs, 57 per cent are female and 43 per cent are male. More than half of Ukrainian refugees who attended Intreo employment events reported their lack of English was a challenge in securing work.
Irish Times
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
A Ukrainian mother's appeal
Sir, – I am a 44-year-old Ukrainian mother of three children, who came to Ireland 2½ years ago under temporary protection, fleeing the war in Kherson, Ukraine. Our house in Kherson has been destroyed. Returning there is not an option – it is simply not safe for us. Ireland has become our sanctuary, a place where we can finally breathe and build a future. Since arriving, I have enrolled in the Atlantic Technological University in Galway, now in my second year studying fashion design. My children have thrived here – they speak the language, have wonderful friends, and feel truly at home. My eldest is finishing college and dreaming of university. We have planted roots in Ireland. We contribute, we learn, and we belong. But, our future remains uncertain as the path to citizenship feels so far away. READ MORE Allowing Ukrainians under temporary protection to apply for citizenship after three years would be a powerful act of humanity. It would recognise our struggle, our resilience, and our commitment to this country that has given us hope. As a mother, I ask Ireland to open its heart to families like mine. Give our children the chance to feel safe, secure, and truly at home in the only country they now know as home. Ireland has already shown compassion. Now, it can show courage and vision. With hope and gratitude, – Yours, etc, OKSANA VORONINA, Monivea Road, Galway.
The Guardian
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Ukrainians who fled to UK being refused asylum on grounds it is ‘safe to return'
Ukrainians who fled to the UK after the Russian invasion are being refused asylum by the Home Office on the grounds it is safe to return to Ukraine. Families are trying to obtain a route to settlement, which would enable them to build a life in the UK, commit their children to a British education and improve their prospects for jobs and housing. Some feel they have nothing to return to as they are from areas razed by conflict. One told the Guardian they had been refused asylum on grounds they could relocate elsewhere in Ukraine, despite their home town being a war zone. The firm Sterling Law said it was contacted weekly by Ukrainians, including vulnerable women and children, whose applications had been refused. The firm is working on several appeals, which bring waits of several months during which Ukrainians are left in limbo. Although Ukrainians are able to remain for 18 months through the temporary visa scheme, the uncertainty about their living arrangements is compounding anxiety and distress. Halyna Semchak, a solicitor at Sterling Law, said she was working with a single mother from Nikopol, a town which has been largely destroyed, a visually impaired man and the parent of a child born in the UK. Their refusal letters typically state that the conflict-related risks do not meet the threshold for persecution under the refugee convention, as they can relocate to safer parts of Ukraine where there are public services, and they can apply for help from the United Nations high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) and local organisations to avoid destitution. She said this was a 'concerning and growing trend' caused by updates made in January to the UK Home Office's guidance, which now deems regions such as Kyiv and western Ukraine to be 'generally safe'. She has observed that fewer of the asylum claims she works on have been successful since the update. 'This assessment runs counter to the reality of life on the ground in Ukraine. I think any rational person would understand that Ukraine remains in the midst of a violent war, with attacks intensifying in recent months. Our clients would clearly face grave risks including bombardment, conscription, family separation and the psychological trauma of war if they were to return to Ukraine today,' she said. 'Legally, these decisions are deeply troubling. They overlook the complex realities on the ground and fail to engage meaningfully with individual circumstances, particularly in light of article 3 and 8 of the European convention on human rights [which protect the rights to protection from harm and to liberty].' She urged the government to reassess the guidance. 'Until that happens, people fleeing war and instability will continue to be let down by a system that purports to protect them,' she said. Oleksandr Zbytskyi was refused asylum despite being from Odesa in southern Ukraine, a war zone subject to infrastructure blackouts. While the Home Office was considering his application, five people died in a missile attack. Zbytskyi and his family have been in the UK since August 2022. He wants his son, who was four-years-old when he arrived in the UK and speaks better English than Ukrainian, to continue at school and for his wife to keep receiving treatment for anxiety, depression and panic attacks. Every member of his close family has died, some fighting on the frontline, others because they could not access medical treatment. If he returns, he may be drafted into the military. 'It was really unexpected to achieve rejection … Who is willing to take their child and bring them back to the country where there is a full-scale war?' Zbytskyi said. 'We are depressed about this because it's affected all our family. I can't do anything at the moment because of everything in my head. I can't even sleep. This is a really terrible situation. '[My son] has already started his mental relocation to UK society. I don't want to create another stress for him and for my wife. I know that it's very, very important to live a normal life.' Kama Petruczenko, a senior policy analyst at the Refugee Council, said he was concerned that the Ukraine guidance 'is not currently flexible enough to best reflect the difficulties in quickly assessing regional safety in every single application'. The latest Home Office figures suggest that 47 asylum applications have resulted in refugee status and 724 in humanitarian protection since 2023. A Home Office spokesperson said: 'Since Vladimir Putin's illegal invasion, we have offered or extended sanctuary to over 300,000 Ukrainians and the Homes for Ukraine scheme remains open. 'All asylum and human rights claims are carefully considered on their individual merits in accordance with our international obligations. No one who is found to be at risk of serious harm will be expected to return to Ukraine.'
