One of the main threats to the present-day Ukraine is the drain of young and skilled working-age people abroad, Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Feldman notes.
— Since the end of 1990s, there was a promotional break bumper on 1+1 TV channel, which stuck in memory: “You are not alone; there are 52 million of us.” Now, there are 10 million less of us, and the notion of “us,” unfortunately, is not so unambiguous.
Ancient people determined that patriotism may be based on both something emotional, and the reasonable and sound pragmatism. It is good when these two bases are combined, but if not, the second one often appears to be more significant. Those, who have something to lose, like real estate or business, will never mix up in shady enterprises. The owners of property understand that it is his/her vital interest to protect the native country, because there is the risk to loose everything.
The irony of the situation is that Ukrainian youth, which was the main driving force behind the revolutionary developments in 2013-2014, found themselves the prisoners of a situation
The prospect (with luck) of finding job with the salary of about $200 and saving for own hosing for 30-50 years is very depressive. Those, who are elder, also leave, because they don’t want their children to face the same choice. Some people go to earn money, others leave forever. They do this not because their love for Ukraine was proofless or insufficiently strong. No, they do this because it appeared to be one-way.
There has never been real youth policy in Ukraine. Moreover, due to the steady belief that young people never take part in the elections, they have always remained on the periphery of authority’s attention. As for the creative class, which is able to create jobs and be the driving force behind the economy, it is perceived as a ‘milch cow.’
Today, there are two unemployed persons (children, pensioners, disables, jobless or working unofficially) per one working-age Ukrainian (15 million). The load on those who work only increases: their utility fees must cover the subsidy programme and their taxes go to the replenishment of the pension fund. At a certain point, even the sincere desire to live in Ukraine yields to the aspiration to live anywhere but decently. That is why we faced the situation, when 83% of all work permits in Poland in 2016 were issued to Ukrainians.
Every person wishes a better future for him/herself and for the relatives. It is his/her right. And to struggle for the better future for the country is the obligation of the authorities. I am sure that if the state starts to communicate with young and active Ukrainians, if it gives even a minimal reason to stay, if it gives any hope, than the wave of mass emigration will reduce.
