Workers from India and Bangladesh: what is known about employment in Ukraine
The Ministry of Economy has reported on staff shortages and the need for a more flexible labour market, whilst the State Employment Centre, the State Labour Service and the ‘Dія’ portal have explained the procedures for employing foreign nationals.
Ukraine has expanded opportunities for the legal employment of Indian and Bangladeshi nationals in sectors where there is the greatest shortage of workers.
These sectors include construction, agriculture, logistics, manufacturing and the service sector.
At the same time, no specific decision by the Cabinet of Ministers or the Ministry of Economy regarding a special regime for citizens of India and Bangladesh could be found in publicly available official sources.
The officially confirmed procedure remains general: employers hire foreigners and stateless persons who have arrived in Ukraine for fixed-term employment on the basis of a work permit. This is stated on the website of the State Employment Centre and in the ‘Diya’ guide to public services.
The State Labour Service also explains that employers may employ foreigners on the basis of a permit, and that employing a foreigner without such a permit constitutes a breach of the law and entails liability.
How foreign workers are registered
A work permit for a foreigner is issued for a specific employer.
According to the State Employment Service, the documents are submitted by the employer or their authorised representative.
The documents include an application in which the employer confirms that the position is not linked to Ukrainian citizenship and does not require access to state secrets.
In 2026, the fee for issuing a permit depends on its duration.
According to employment centres, the fee is linked to the minimum subsistence level for able-bodied persons, as set on 1 January of the calendar year.
For a permit valid for up to 6 months, the fee is 3,328 UAH; from 6 months to 1 year – 9,984 UAH; from 1 to 2 years – 16,640 UAH; from 2 to 3 years – 26,624 UAH.
Why businesses are talking about foreign workers
The reason for the interest in workers from abroad is a labour shortage.
The government has already stated the need to make the labour market more inclusive, flexible, predictable and geared towards the real needs of the Ukrainian economy. The Ministry of Economy has also announced the launch of a pilot project to forecast demand for specialists and skilled workers over a 10-year period.
Some businesses have been operating with staff shortages for a long time. This is hampering production and reducing competitiveness.
Recruiting foreign workers is seen as a quick way to stabilise the situation.
According to this report, employers point out that workers from South Asia are willing to take on jobs that Ukrainians are increasingly turning down due to low pay or difficult conditions.
What risks do experts highlight?
Experts point out that the recruitment of foreign labour requires clear rules.
This involves monitoring intermediaries, protecting labour rights, ensuring workers are legally registered, and preventing undeclared employment.
Without this, there is a risk of abuse.
Furthermore, recruiting workers from other countries does not fully solve the labour shortage problem.
For a long-term solution, changes are needed in pay, working conditions and the vocational education system so that the Ukrainian market can independently produce skilled workers.
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