The Director of the State Employment Service, Yulia Zhovtyak, shared this information in an interview with RBK-Ukraine. This was reported by Kontrakty.UA.
The primary reason, as explained by Zhovtyak, is that a significant number of the working-age population has left the country. Although refugees have the opportunity to register as unemployed, particularly through the "Diia" portal, they are unable to receive benefits.
Another reason is that all military conscripts must provide military registration documents when registering with the State Employment Service, adhering to the principle of "Work or Fight." Before the full-scale invasion, the ratio of men to women among the unemployed was roughly equal, but today it is 80% women and 20% men.
"Additionally, a possible factor influencing people's willingness to register with the Employment Service is the reduction in the duration of unemployment benefit payments during the martial law period. Previously, payments were made for one year, and for certain categories of the population (citizens approaching retirement age) - up to two years, but now it is only three months. For those nearing retirement age, it is one year," Zhovtyak added.
According to her, the released funds have been directed towards:
- development and opportunities;
- grants;
- training for individuals;
- expansion of compensation for employers;
- creation of new jobs.
Recall that RBK-Ukraine reported on why Ukrainians registered with the employment center might lose their unemployed status.