Your Trusted Partner for Recruitment in Ukraine

To better fulfill your recruitment needs, we at Remote People are here to help you find top talent in Ukraine more effectively than recruiting on your own. Our team understands the local language, customs, and the intricacies of the Ukrainian talent market, giving you a significant advantage in securing the right candidates.

We know where to advertise your job openings to ensure maximum exposure and attract the best talent. Additionally, we assist in designing competitive, locally-appropriate compensation packages that not only appeal to top candidates but also help you optimize costs. 

Get in touch with us to navigate Ukraine’s recruitment landscape with confidence and ease.

Key Takeaways

  1. Ukraine has a competitive workforce that is highly skilled in science, technology, and mathematics.
  2. Recruiting in Ukraine requires adherence to the national labor law that covers working conditions, employment contracts, hiring and onboarding, and employee protections.
  3. Ukraine’s economic growth has slowed since the Russian invasion; however, the country continues to show resilience with a moderate increase in GDP for 2024.
  4. Relying on the services of a professional recruitment agency or services provider, such as an Employer of Record, can help foreign businesses hire employees efficiently and compliantly.

Ukraine is one of Europe’s largest nations with an upper-middle-income economy. Its GDP represents around 0.17% of the world’s economy and stood at 178.8 billion in 2023. While Ukraine continues to struggle under Russian invasion, the country has managed to maintain its public services and exports have slowly been restored. Ukraine currently relies on international support and, even amid war, has grown by 3.2% in 2024. The private sector remains resilient, and many doctors, technicians, and specialists continue to operate and receive their full salaries. Analysts believe that Ukraine offers favorable business investment opportunities. A USAID survey shows that over 80% of companies that invested in Ukraine before 2022 were satisfying their professional goals. 

Ukraine has a highly educated workforce, with more than 70% of the active population possessing a secondary qualification. The Ukrainian government has invested in STEM education, encouraging analytical skill development. These in-demand skills have contributed to the popularity of the European country for recruitment. 

To facilitate the recruitment process, discover why it is important to partner with a professional international recruitment agency in Ukraine. 

Overview of the Ukraine Recruitment Industry

Ukraine relies heavily on recruitment websites to attract international employers and provide a simple-to-use platform for job seekers. Due to the disruptions and shortage of qualified personnel in the labor market, companies are vying for top talent and creating competitive offers to hire the best job candidates. 

The Ukraine recruitment industry relies on digital job listings, including the use of employment websites and social media to appeal to job seekers. Hiring an expert recruitment agency in Ukraine provides access to reliable websites for job advertising and recruitment. Professional recruiters understand the Labor Code of Ukraine and comply with regulations from offering lucrative employment contracts to assessing candidates using video conferences. Once you have selected employees, employers and employees must sign the employment contract before the worker’s first official day and inform the State Fiscal Services of the hire. 

It can be challenging to recruit candidates in Ukraine because of skills shortages; however, professional recruiters, or an Employer of Record (EOR), can help you access top-tier talent more efficiently and affordably than setting up a legal entity in the country. 

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Expert Headhunters in Ukraine

Let us handle the complexities of hiring, compliance, and payroll in Ukraine while you focus on growing your team.

  • Hire employees in Ukraine with a Ukraine EOR
  • No local entity is needed
  • Pricing starts at USD 199 per employee
  • Remote People can also help you find the best talent in Ukraine
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Benefits of Recruiting in Ukraine

Ukraine has experienced immense devastation since the Russian invasion; however, the country is recognized for its educated job seekers and low-cost labor. Understanding the benefits of hiring a workforce in Ukraine will help you make informed business decisions for future expansion. 

Education

Ukraine has one of the largest, highly educated workforces in Europe, with more than 200,000 annual graduates possessing a STEM education.

Strategically Located

Ukraine connects the Mediterranean Sea and Europe, making it a strategic trade location. Recruiting in the country means that you can conduct business more effectively across Europe regarding imports and exports.

Competitive Workforce

The majority of Ukraine’s workforce has a secondary education and a strong work ethic. Many job seekers want a better quality of life and are determined to join the international workforce, bringing knowledge, practical skills, and experience.

Remote Work

Working remotely has become increasingly popular in Ukraine, which allows companies to recruit and expand without a physical entity.

Legal considerations when recruiting in Ukraine

Before you can legally hire employees, you must know the Ukraine Labor Code and Tax Code to uphold employee rights and follow local regulations. The following laws must be followed when recruiting in Ukraine:

Working Hours

The standard workweek is 40 hours split over five days. Employers can extend the workweek to six days, but employee hours must be reduced from eight to seven per day. Workers who manage essential infrastructure, such as in the automobile, energy, and health sectors, can perform 60 hours of overtime a week based on martial law.

Overtime

Employees are permitted 120 hours of overtime work per year. For shift work, a two-hour break is compulsory.

Annual Leave

Ukrainian employees receive 24 days of annual leave. Young employees under 18 are entitled to 31 days of fully paid leave per year. In Ukraine, adolescents aged 14 can be hired for employment if granted permission by their parents, provided it does not disrupt their schoolwork.

Payroll

Payroll cycles are performed twice a month with employee salaries paid on the 15th and 20th of each month. In terms of taxation, the employment income tax is 18%, and the military tax is 1.5%. Ukrainian citizens are taxed on international income, and the employer withholds both income tax and military tax. Employees are not legally required to receive an end-of-year bonus.

Social Security

The employer is responsible for making social security contributions in the form of a Unified Social Contribution (USC). The USC is 22%, and payments must be made to the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine. 

Social security in Ukraine covers unemployment, pension funds, disability, and workplace accidents and injuries. The mandatory pension fund for all working citizens is called the tier-one pension system. A tier-two pension system, known as the Accumulation State Pension, requires voluntary participation from citizens. 

Employment Termination

According to Ukraine labor laws, employment contracts can be dismissed by the employer without the employee’s consent. A notice period must be issued to workers and is based on the reason for terminating the contract. For example, if an employee does not meet performance standards, they are entitled to a three-day notice period for dismissal. Employees are entitled to severance pay of one month’s salary for every two years of consistent employment.

Downsides of Recruiting in Ukraine

Due to the current Ukraine war, there is a labor force shortage. While many existing residents are eager to join the international workforce, companies searching for specific skills and qualifications may find it challenging to source such individuals. 

The absence of effective leadership across institutions slows the recruitment process, making it harder to find and place employees. Furthermore, poor business mobilization has affected sustainability and adaptability. 

Undoubtedly, the Russian invasion has had a significant impact on Ukraine’s economy and workforce, but due to the sheer resilience of the country, there are signs of recovery. While economic growth is slow, the European country has managed to increase its GDP by 2% in Q3 of 2024. The Ukrainian labor force remains optimistic and continues to take advantage of the employment opportunities presented to them. 

How to Choose a Recruitment Agency in Ukraine

Choosing a recruitment agency in Ukraine is no small feat and requires careful consideration of the following factors:

Experience

Recruitment agencies must have experience in attracting, screening, and hiring employees in Ukraine. This includes knowledge of Ukraine’s Labor Code and tax laws. 

Reputability

The service provider must be reputable, which means that they should have positive client testimonials on independent review websites. The recruitment agency should offer client references.

Client Support

Recruiters must provide client support services in addition to clear and consistent communication. 

Recruit Top Talent Across Europe with Our Recruitment Expertise

Navigating the complexities of hiring and workforce management across different countries can be challenging. Partnering with a reliable recruitment agency ensures you stay compliant with local labor laws, streamline the hiring process, and secure top talent. Learn how Remote People can help you recruit in the following countries:

Recruitment Agencies in Europe
AlbaniaAndorraAustria
AzerbaijanBelgiumBosnia and Herzegovina
BulgariaCroatiaCyprus
Czech RepublicDenmarkEstonia
FinlandFranceGermany
GreeceGreenlandGuernsey
HungaryIcelandIreland
Isle of ManItalyJersey
KosovoLatviaLiechtenstein
LithuaniaLuxembourgMalta
MayotteMoldovaMonaco
MontenegroNetherlandsNorth Macedonia
NorwayPolandPortugal
RomaniaSan MarinoSlovakia
SloveniaSpainSweden
SwitzerlandTurkeyUkraine
United Kingdom  

Conclusion

Expanding your business in Ukraine can provide lucrative professional opportunities based on the country’s exceptionally educated workforce and high standards of work ethics. The strategic location of the European country can facilitate trade, and with a large percentage of Ukrainians proficient in English, it makes for easier and more transparent communication. 

Amid the Ukraine war, residents remain resilient, and the country continues to work towards rebuilding its infrastructure and economy. While recruitment is slow due to ineffective business and resource mobilization, hiring in Ukraine provides access to highly skilled and talented job candidates at cost-effective labor rates. 

If you are ready to expand your business and recruit in Ukraine, Remote People is sure to help. Remote People is a top recruitment agency in Ukraine and will guide you through the process of establishing a successful international workforce. 

Ready to expand your team in Ukraine? Remote People’s recruitment services offer tailored solutions to meet your hiring needs. Contact us today to discuss how we can help your business grow in Ukraine.