Transformations of the labor market of Ukraine in the conditions of war

Abstract

The article highlights the deep transformations taking place in the labour market of Ukraine under the influence of the war. The authors analyse new challenges for private enterprises, which, unlike public institutions, are faced with serious risks and an imbalance between labour requirements and available resources to reward employees.

The purpose of the article is to study the transformations that took place in the labour market of Ukraine during the war. The methodological base of the article is based on the data of several important sociological studies, which allow an in-depth analysis of the stated problem – the basis is the annual sociological monitoring «Ukrainian Society – 2024», which provides representativeness for the analysis of social attitudes of the adult population of Ukraine thanks to the CATI methodology and a carefully constructed sample population (N = 2767). The authors reveal the key risks and barriers that arose in the labour market as a result of the war, creating significant problems for labour mobility and disrupting the functioning of key institutions responsible for its regulation. As a result of the conducted sociological studies, it was recorded the limitation of employment opportunities, the decrease in the number of quality jobs, the strengthening of sectoral and professional-educational disparities, as well as the deterioration of the economic and security conditions for the development of entrepreneurship. The article analyses the problem of increasing demands on employees, caused by mobilization, relocation of factories and extreme working conditions, which leads to staff overload and is not accompanied by adequate remuneration. Special attention is paid to new forms of employment, in particular remote work, which, although it contributes to maintaining security, limits the social and economic opportunities of workers due to the lack of legislative support. The article emphasizes the need for active reforms and cooperation between the state and business to stabilize the labour market and ensure the appropriate level of protection of workers in the conditions of a long-armed conflict.