La Strada Documentation Center

Concept Note Webinar Preventing exploitation and decent work for refugees from Ukraine

Document number
3454
Date
13 June
Title
Concept Note Webinar Preventing exploitation and decent work for refugees from Ukraine
Author/publisher
La Strada International
Availability
View/save PDF version of this document
Document type(s)
Meeting Documentation/Conference Reports,
Keywords
Webinar Ukrainian refugees labour exploitation
Summary
Concept note Webinar Preventing exploitation and decent work for refugees from Ukraine

The Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24 has caused a humanitarian crisis. In Ukraine, the continuing war has devastated many once sprawling cities, killed civilians, exposed them to violence and other serious rights violations, separated families, destroyed livelihoods and completely disrupted life in the country.

As of 1 June, almost 7 million Ukrainian residents have fled1 since the start of the war. They represent the largest movement of persons since World War II. Most of them fled to neighbouring EU Member States – such as Poland (ca 3.5 million), Romania (ca. 970 000), and Hungary (ca. 650 000) but also to non-EU countries such as Moldova (ca.
473 000) and Russia (ca. 945 000).

The vast majority of those seeking refuge abroad are women and children. While
in recent weeks, the number of people returning to Ukraine has increased substantially, it is too early to determine whether these returns are permanent. At the same time, there is evidence that many cross the border between Ukraine and border countries regularly.

In the wake of the invasion, there has been an outpouring of support for and solidarity with Ukraine and its people in many parts of the world. Their protection and support demands include a need to decent work and a decent income, as the devastating consequences of the war extent to all areas of life and society in Ukraine, including the
labour market.

On 24 June a webinar is organised by La Strada International, ETUC and ILO