The war in Ukraine has cast dark shadows over Europe and has deprived us of the illusion of a everlasting peace on our continent. But even though this illusion has been taken away from us in such a brutal manner, Europe has shown unity by condemning the aggression being inflicted on our Ukrainian neighbours. But more even important than condemning is offering support to Ukraine.
In this sense the European Commission has adopted a proposal to activate the Temporary Protection Directive allowing for quick and effective assistance to people fleeing the war in Ukraine. This proposal will grant temporary protection in the EU to those obliged to flee Ukraine. They will be given a residence permit, they will have access to education and also to the labour market. This paves the way for our PES to become active. The UNHCR estimates that up to 4 million people may be forced to flee from Ukraine because of the war.
With the onset of the war we have circulated a letter from our Polish member within our PES Network stressing that the
Polish authorities, including Public Employment Services, will make every effort to support Ukrainian citizens coming to Poland
This letter has triggered a great response and led to a wave of expressions of solidarity and empathy within our Network.
This is a strong sign of the PES in Europe. I am proud of this solidarity and I want to make this public to send a strong message to our Ukrainian neighbours that we will do our best to support them upon their arrival. I hope that dialogue and diplomacy will again be considered the appropriate means to resolve conflicts.
says Johannes Kopf the Chair of the PES Network.
Some of the statements are reproduced below:
The Netherlands
We are very worried and upset by the Russian violence in Ukraine. Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine. The Dutch government is working on support for Ukrainian citizens coming to the Netherlands. At the Dutch PES we will provide assistance where possible.
Finland:
The passing days have been sad and devastating. Our deepest sympathy to all the citizens of Ukraine. The Finnish PES Network is ready and willing to help Ukrainian citizens, who seek asylum and/or work in Finland.
Sweden:
First of all, I would like to express my deepest sympathy with the people of Ukraine in these challenging times. Arbetsförmedlingen is ready and willing to help Ukrainians who come to Sweden. Whenever needed, Arbetsförmedlingen would also like to show our support to our PES Network colleagues who are receiving many dispersed persons due to the conflict. Let us hope dialogue and diplomacy will prevail so that the war can end as soon as possible.
Spain:
We strongly condemn the aggression war in Ukraine that has to end immediately. From the Spanish Public Employment Service (SEPE), we will do everything in our power to contribute and to provide any help for Ukrainian people. Our thoughts and thanks are with the Ukrainian people who are fighting to defend, their freedom, their land our common European values.
Latvia:
We too condemn the Russian military attacks against Ukraine and stand with Ukrainian people. To show our support we are working on aid measures for the Ukrainian refugees here in Latvia. A law has been passed that will allow Ukrainian civilians to work in Latvia without any restrictions. We send our thoughts and prayers to the Ukrainian people, we admire their strength and bravery. We hope and wish for these dark times to end as soon as possible.
France:
Thank you for sharing this letter, which allows us to take an even greater measure of the situation. Please be sure that Pôle emploi will pay close attention to any professional request coming from Ukrainian citizens.
Belgium, Walloon Region
I do also hope that dialogue and diplomacy will be the solution to the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Yet, answering our Polish colleagues, be sure le FOREM will support in all possible ways Ukrainian citizens finding shelter in Belgium.
Germany:
In what is probably Europe’s most critical phase, you and your colleagues are sending an important signal of humanity and solidarity. You are dropping everything right now to take immediate action and to help the people from Ukraine. I would like to express my utmost respect and gratitude to you for this. It is this humanitarian solidarity that you are demonstrating that we as Europeans can all be proud of. We want to help now as well. I would like to offer you our support. I see our network as an opportunity for connecting our resources when it comes to strengthening our organizations in crisis situations. We all have great respect for your current tasks and are happy if we can assist you in any way. Please do not hesitate. Please feel free to reach out to us at any time.
Norway:
It is comforting to see the network’s united and strong commitment in helping ease the pain of the Ukrainian people. Be sure of Norway’s support in welcoming Ukrainian refugees to Norway.
European Commission:
Many thanks for your replies and willingness to mobilize your institution to help refugees from Ukraine in these extremely difficult times and circumstances.
Luxembourg:
Thank you for sharing this letter. The Luxembourg Government is currently analyzing what could be done in order to assure an appropriate access to the national labour market for Ukrainians citizens in the frame of the temporary protection mechanism. Our thoughts and thanks are with the Ukrainian people who are fighting to defend our common European values.
Romania:
The Romanian PES provides support for those who want to find a job in Romania but we intend to help also those who decide to go to other countries and find a job there. That is why we count on the support of the PES Network and we’ll get in direct contact with a specific PES whenever needed. We hope that dialogue and diplomacy will prevail and the conflict will end as soon as possible.
Belgium, Brussels region
Thank you all, and particularly the secretariat of the PES Network, for your supportive words and actions. Actiris is equally putting everything in place to support the Ukrainian citizens fleeing to Brussels, the unique entrance gate to our country in order to ensure they receive the appropriate help in finding a job.
Bulgaria:
Thank you for sharing this letter, which allows us to take an even greater measure of the situation. Please, be sure that the Employment Agency in Bulgaria will pay professional and close attention to any requests coming from Ukrainian citizens. We express our readiness to welcome and work for the integration of those who turn to us.
Greece:
the Greek PES stands ready to assist, with all its resources and in any way necessary, all Ukrainians who seek our services during these tragic and horrific events. In solidarity with the brave people of Ukraine.
Portugal:
We strongly condemn the aggression war in Ukraine that has to end now. We can inform you that IEFP, as the Portuguese public employment service, is a part of the national effort to welcome and support Ukrainian citizens who are leaving their country because of the war and humanitarian reasons. We sincerely hope that peace can be a reality soon and that the Ukrainian people can get their lives back, but as long as this is not possible, we will work to welcome and integrate those who come to us.
Estonia:
I would like to stress that the Estonian government and Eesti Töötukassa are preparing for the reception of the Ukrainian refugees and supporting them as much as we can in this very tragic situation. We sincerely hope that the situation will improve soon.
Lithuania:
Thank you for your message. Lithuanian PES is ready to contribute with all the countries and to provide any help for Ukrainian citizens!
Denmark:
Our deepest sympathy goes to the people of Ukraine in these challenging times. The Danish government, the Social Partners and the Municipalities are currently discussing what can be done in order to ensure an appropriate access to the Danish labour market for Ukrainian refugees coming to Denmark.
Croatia:
Our deepest sympathy goes to all Ukrainian people. The Croatian Employment Service is ready to provide any assistance to Ukrainian citizens. Slava Ukrajini!
Slovenia:
We also hope that dialogue and diplomacy will prevail in this horrible situation. We strongly condemn the aggression and we sympathize with the Ukrainian people in this tragedy. We would like to express our readiness at the Employment Service of Slovenia to provide all the support (humanitarian and professional) that Ukrainian citizens would need.
Czech Republic
The Labour Office of the Czech Republic is also ready to provide all possible support to Ukrainian citizens. Our thoughts are with all Ukrainian people.
Cyprus:
The Department of Labour of the Republic of Cyprus is also ready to provide all possible support to Ukrainian citizens who turn to us.
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