Discrimination, illnesses, low salaries: why it is so difficult for veterans to find work in Ukraine
25 July 2025 22:57
INFOGRAPHICS
More than 20% of female and male veterans have faced discrimination in employment after returning from the front. This is reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to a study by the Ukrainian Veterans Fund.
The results of the survey for the first half of 2025 showed serious problems faced by female and male veterans in employment. In particular, 23% of respondents faced discrimination when looking for a job.
Servicemen and women returning from war need to have their experience understood and their dignity respected. At the same time, society and business have not yet fully realized the contribution of defenders to the country’s security and their potential in the civilian sector.
Main obstacles to employment of veterans
According to the study, the most common problems faced by military personnel who have returned to civilian life and are seeking employment are
- Salary m ismatch (37.3% of respondents are concerned). Many veterans receive offers with salaries that do not cover their basic needs.
- Physical health problems (mentioned by 36.3% of veterans). The negative health consequences of injuries often limit the opportunities for work in civilian settings.
- Psycho-emotional state (25.5% of military personnel who have returned to civilian life are concerned). Post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychological difficulties complicate adaptation.
- Discrimination (mentioned by 23.3% of respondents). Stereotypes and prejudices of employers block access to vacancies.
- Lack of experience or loss of skills (14.3% and 14.0% of respondents, respectively, complained about this). Prolonged stay on the frontline can lead to professional “dropout”.
Less common, but still significant obstacles were high competition in the labor market (10.2%) and the lack of adaptation of jobs to the needs of female and male veterans (7.5%).
Why employment of veterans is critical for the economy
The Ukrainian Veterans Fund notes that defenders who have returned to civilian life are a potentially highly productive group of workers who possess such qualities as discipline, responsibility, and the ability to work under stress. However, without proper support, their potential remains unrealized, which leads to: increased social costs for the state (payments and rehabilitation), loss of qualified personnel for business, and increased tension in society due to a sense of ingratitude towards veterans.
Read also: Jobs for veterans in Ukraine: what stands in the way and how to overcome artificial barriers
How business can help
The study emphasizes that the private sector is capable of solving most problems, but often underestimates their importance. Among the possible solutions:
- creating inclusive programs for veterans’ adaptation (training, mentoring)
- flexible working conditions – remote work, reduced hours for those who need rehabilitation;
- combating discrimination, including training for HR and cooperation with veterans’ organizations;
- competitive salaries. Fair remuneration based on experience and skills.
Integrating veterans into the labor market is not only a social responsibility, but also an economic necessity. Ukraine cannot afford to lose this category of workers, especially in the postwar period.
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