The labor market and employment during the war: state and prospects

Abstract

The article deals with changes in the employment market taking place during the war, its state and future prospects. The changes that have taken place in the employment market in the 21st century, in particular, the transformation of its structure and modes of labor activity due to globalization processes, and recently the practices of remote work through Internet networks and digital platforms that have become familiar and traditional and have grown during quarantine restrictions, after February 24, turned out to be perhaps the most stable and tenacious form of employment for the population of Ukraine. Improving the legal framework for these forms of employment minimizes job losses and guarantees earnings, including the IT sector, where Ukraine is not the last actor not only during the war, but also in the post-war perspective. Large-scale destruction of industrial and other enterprises, transport and other infrastructure in the country, the curtailment of small and medium-sized businesses, the outflow of skilled labor abroad, an increase of the number of internally displaced persons, etc. dealt a tangible blow to the employment market, causing an imbalance between the supply and demand for jobs, the fall of wages, and increased impoverishment among the most vulnerable segments of the population. Based on the materials of sociological research and public opinion polls the article shows the dynamics of changes in the employment market during the war and identifies prospects if hostilities in the country drag on for a long time. At the same time, in order to counteract this, the state is trying to take all possible measures to minimize the negative consequences of the war and help maintain the human potential of Ukraine by introducing various support programs. Taking into account the experience of the post-war reconstruction of the Balkan region countries can serve as a good example of how to avoid miscalculations in this direction.