Consequences of mobilization: attempts to attract women to male-dominated professions in Ukraine face difficulties

Major Ukrainian companies have reported a shortage of employees and less successful attempts to compensate for the loss of male workers by hiring women.

For example, the “Aurora” chain of stores stated that they have been experiencing a labor shortage since the beginning of the invasion, with an 8% shortfall until recently. However, the situation worsened after the new mobilization law came into effect: on May 18, 80% of the company’s drivers did not show up for work, causing delivery problems. Currently, only one truck driver is handling deliveries across the large network of stores.

“Nova Poshta” is short of three large truck drivers and also lacks couriers. Out of 460 candidates for the courier position, including 130 women, only two were hired. Most candidates declined because they preferred foot delivery jobs.

The pharmaceutical company “Farmak” is short of loaders, electric welders, repair fitters, truck drivers and engineers.

The Ukrainian branch of the Swiss metallurgical company Ferrexpo employs over a hundred women in “male” positions, such as drivers of heavy dump trucks, electric welders and electricians. The company began training them in 2020.

The co-owner of EVA and Varus stores mentioned that women are reluctant to train and work in “male” roles, even when offered significantly higher salaries.

“Currently, a woman in Ukraine has no problem finding a job. So why should she choose a hard profession when she can do easier work for the same money?” says the CEO of “Logistic Union.”

Meanwhile, it seems that Uber is also facing an acute driver shortage. The company is offering a payment of up to 1,400 hryvnias for recruiting a new driver. The payment amount depends on the number of trips made by the new driver: from 100 UAH (10 trips) to 1,400 UAH (80 trips).

Earlier, it was reported that Ukraine lacks 4.5 million workers needed to ensure GDP growth, this is a shortfall caused by the war and migration.