Ukrainian refugees abroad most often face legal issues related to the EU legislation on employment, housing, temporary protection and issuance or loss of documents.
Experts from United for Ukraine, which provides legal support to Ukrainians who were forced to go abroad because of the war, as well as experts from the Ukrainian Bar Association told Interfax-Ukraine, “most legal requests by Ukrainians abroad relate to EU state legislation for people displaced from Ukraine (such as employment, education, housing, financial assistance) and temporary protection rules (such as registration for temporary protection, changing country/place of residence to limit
“Ukrainians also face various issues of issuance or loss of documents (e.g., residence permits, visas, birth certificates, disability certificates) in various individual contexts,” the experts noted.
According to lawyers, a separate category is legal requests for temporary protection for persons who are not necessarily covered by the European Union Council Directive stipulating that temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens who have left for the EU before February 24, 2022, may be granted at the discretion of the authorities of each EU country.
“EU countries have regulated this issue in different ways. For example, Germany and the Netherlands provide temporary protection to Ukrainian citizens who left Ukraine for the EU no earlier than 90 days before the Russian invasion,” the experts said.
At the same time, according to lawyers, many Ukrainians who went abroad, also apply with questions of Ukrainian law, for example, on the birth of a child abroad, marriage or divorce, receiving social benefits and pensions abroad. In addition, a hot topic is the taxation of income abroad, in particular in situations when a citizen of Ukraine continues to work remotely in Ukraine while abroad.
“Ukraine has a number of international treaties on avoidance of double taxation. Most of them provide for obtaining tax residency status after 183 days of residence in a foreign country. In many cases, this means that the income of a citizen of Ukraine living abroad should be taxed in the country of residence, regardless of where the income was received”, – stressed the lawyers.
The experts noted that the temporary protection status approved by the Council of the European Union in March 2022 for persons displaced from Ukraine because of the Russian invasion provides a residence permit in a particular EU country, and gives the displaced person a number of basic rights, among them the right to employment, education, medical and social assistance.
“At the same time, temporary protection differs from refugee status because it is acquired through a simplified procedure and does not include an obligation to remain in one country,” the United for Ukraine stressed.
At the same time, according to experts, the issue of extending temporary protection status was settled differently by EU countries. In particular, Italy, Portugal, Greece automatically extended the residence permit for Ukrainians by law, that is, without the need of any formal actions. In the Czech Republic, Estonia, Belgium and France, in order to renew the residence permit, it was necessary to undergo the procedure of additional registration within certain terms. At the same time, since the beginning of the war Germany has been issuing residence permits valid until March 2024.
“As at the beginning of the war, so now, a person has the right to freely choose a country of temporary protection. At the same time, unlike in the early months of the war, today the choice of residence within one country may be limited. Due to the large number of displaced persons, countries strive to evenly accommodate people in both large and small settlements,” the lawyers stressed.
The United for Ukraine noted that, in particular in Germany, a person can choose a place of residence only if they have family ties or work in a particular city. Otherwise, it is necessary to apply to the center of primary reception, where the distribution takes place in a particular locality in one of the federal states.
Lawyers stressed that the possibility of changing the country of temporary protection has become a relevant issue over time. Some states at the national level have banned the granting of temporary protection to persons who already had such a status in another EU country. Such countries include, above all, the Czech Republic and Poland.
A similar ban applies not only to having temporary protection in another EU country, but also to visas to other countries, such as Canada or the United States. Thus, Ukrainians in the Czech Republic, who obtained a visa to Canada under the special program for Ukrainians CUAET, had to cancel such a visa in order to keep Czech temporary protection.
Some other countries (e.g., Germany, Portugal) provide temporary protection regardless of previous acquisition of such status in another country.
“It is also important to remember that some countries (e.g. Croatia) may require an individual to provide proof of cancellation of temporary protection in the first country. Therefore, in order to avoid difficulties before moving, it is important to inform the competent authorities of the host state and obtain confirmation of the waiver of temporary protection,” the lawyers stressed.
Experts recalled that most EU countries have introduced various types of financial assistance, as well as free housing for persons displaced from Ukraine.
At the same time, the amount of social assistance differs depending on the level of income in each country. In particular, the amount of monthly social assistance for an adult can vary from EUR74 in Slovakia, to EUR365 in the Netherlands, EUR400 in Spain and EUR502 in Germany (amounts are subject to change).
Most countries also have a range of social benefits for families with children that Ukrainians can take advantage of. For example, in Poland, such types of assistance include social assistance for raising children, a one-time assistance at the birth of a child, and a one-time benefit at the beginning of the school year.
“Changes in the provision of social assistance that have occurred since the beginning of the war mainly concern the fact that states have begun to take into account a person’s income and financial situation when determining the amount of the benefit. In addition, some countries have reduced the amount of social assistance, thereby encouraging Ukrainians to professional integration”, – emphasize experts.
Czech Republic, in particular, since April 1, 2023, set the maximum period of granting gratuitous accommodation to 150 days from the date of receipt of temporary protection, and since July 1, 2023 reduces the amount of assistance after the first 150 days.
“In addition to the reduction of financial assistance, the daily expenses of Ukrainians in Europe are gradually increasing, because, for example, free public transport services for Ukrainians in most European cities have been canceled,” – the lawyers specified.
At the same time they underlined that countries hosting Ukrainians are interested in their organic integration into the local community and provide educational opportunities and assistance in finding a job. In particular, school attendance for children of certain age is compulsory in Germany, the Czech Republic and Italy, about the intention to introduce the duty of school attendance for Ukrainian children from September 1, 2023 has been recently announced in Poland.
“A prerequisite for the successful integration of Ukrainians into the labor market is learning the local language, so states encourage language learning in every possible way by offering free courses. Completion of foreign language courses may be a condition of social assistance. Countries where the national language issue is rather sensitive are planning to introduce stricter regulations for employment without knowledge of the local language. For example, employment for Ukrainians in Lithuania is permitted without knowledge of Lithuanian language until March of 2024, which is planned to cancel after that date”, – the lawyers said.
In the United for Ukraine and the Ukrainian Bar Association note that the bodies that are obliged to protect the rights and interests of Ukrainian citizens abroad are consular offices of Ukraine, and the consul must take measures to ensure that Ukrainian citizens fully enjoy all the rights granted them by the legislation of the state of residence. In particular, citizens of Ukraine may seek help from the consulate in cases of threat to their life or health, the death of a citizen abroad, detention by law enforcement agencies of a foreign country or in situations where the citizen of Ukraine was a victim of a crime.
At the same time the consulates cannot provide legal representation of Ukrainian citizens during court proceedings.
The lawyers also noted that passport operations are especially urgent issue for Ukrainians abroad, in particular, due to the fact that at the beginning of the war Ukrainians could cross the border with neighboring countries with their internal passports.
At present the State Migration Service actively works on opening divisions of SE “Document” passport service abroad. Documents, including passports and ID-cards are already available at the SE “Document” offices in Poland, Turkey, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany and Spain.
“In situations when due to certain reasons a person cannot issue a new document, consular offices render services of extending validity of foreign passports and including information about underage children into foreign passports of their parents. Thus, it is possible to avoid situations when citizens of Ukraine are abroad without valid passport documents”, – explained the lawyers.
Traders are assessing the minutes of the Federal Reserve (Fed) meeting in May, which showed that a number of U.S. Central Bank executives believe further monetary policy tightening is necessary.
“Some executives noted that another rate hike is likely needed at the next meetings because their projections suggest that the process of moving U.S. inflation toward the Fed’s 2 percent target may remain unacceptably slow,” the minutes said.
At the same time, “several participants of the meeting said that if the situation in the American economy develops in accordance with their expectations, further policy tightening after the May meeting may not be necessary,” the document notes.
Judging by the quotations of futures on the rate level, the chances for the Federal Reserve to increase it by 25 bps in June are estimated by the market at 30%, the probability of raising the rate by the end of July – at 55%, according to the CME Group.
The international rating agency Fitch on Wednesday placed the long-term issuer default rating of the USA “AAA” on the review with the “negative” forecast in connection with the delay of negotiations on the issue of the limit of the country’s borrowings.
The agency’s press release notes that the political bias of the parties involved in discussing the issue is preventing an agreement to raise or suspend the U.S. government debt ceiling, while the deadline for a decision is approaching.
Ironically, this factor is also supporting the dollar as it boosts investor inflows into safe haven assets, Trading Economics noted.
The ICE-calculated index showing the dynamics of the dollar against six currencies (euro, Swiss franc, yen, Canadian dollar, pound sterling and Swedish krona) is adding 0.15%, while the broader WSJ Dollar Index is adding 0.16%.
The euro/dollar pair is trading at $1.0732 as of 9:05 a.m. Moscow time, up from $1.0752 at the close of the previous session.
The pound exchange rate dropped to $1.2343, compared to $1.2465 the day before.
The value of the U.S. currency against the yen is 139.53 yen against 139.48 yen by the end of trading on Wednesday.
On May 24-26, 2023, the annual international scientific-practical conference “Filatov Readings – 2023” will be held, which is registered in the State Non-Commercial Enterprise “Center for Testing the Professional Competence of Specialists with Higher Education in the Fields of “Medicine” and “Pharmacy” under the Ministry of Health of Ukraine” and accredited by EACME. In addition to specialists from Ukrainian regions, leading ophthalmologists from Belgium, Bulgaria, Great Britain, Armenia, Greece, Egypt, Israel, Spain, China, Moldova, Netherlands, Germany, UAE, Poland, Portugal, Romania, USA, Turkey, Hungary, France, Switzerland, and Egypt will also participate.
The reports will discuss modern approaches and methods of diagnostics and treatment of eye diseases using the latest technologies. The scientific-practical conference with international participation “Filatov Readings-2023” is organized by “Ukrainian Society of Ophthalmologists” Public Organization and State Institution “Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy named after A.N. Shupik. The program of the scientific-practical conference is dedicated to the priority problems of ophthalmology: corneal and anterior eye diseases, post-traumatic eye pathology, including combat trauma, cataract surgery, neuro-ophthalmology, ophthalmo-oncology, vitreoretinal pathology, pediatric ophthalmopathology, refractive and accommodation disorders, glaucoma and reconstructive surgery. Thus the scientific-practical conference with international participation “Filatov Readings-2023” will bring together well-known scientists, researchers, practitioners and specialists of related fields in order to exchange experience, expand professional contacts and business relations, which will contribute to the main result of medical science – improvement of public health and prevention of eye diseases.
The speaker Gerrit Melles, MD, PhD (Rotterdam, The Netherlands) will open the conference with a lecture, which is dedicated to Academician V.P. Filatov “How Nature would have seen our cornea win”.
At the “Filatov Readings – 2023” conference, meetings of professional societies will be held: Ukrainian Society of Ophthalmologists, Ukrainian Glaucoma Society, Union of Ukrainian Ophthalmosurgeons, Ukrainian Council of Young Scientists, European Contact Lens Society of Ophthalmologists (ECLSO), Polish Ophthalmological Society “Ophthalmology in the 21st Century” (POS), German Ophthalmological Society DOG, Association of Ophthalmologists of Moldova.
During the plenary and breakout sessions, the Ukrainian and foreign specialists will present their innovative solutions, inventions, improvements in ophthalmology. All the participants will get certificates.
Location: 49/51 French Boulevard, Odessa, State Institution “Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy named after N.P. Filatov. Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy named after V.P. Filatov NAMS of Ukraine.
Contacts:
Phone numbers for inquiries (048) 746-52-08
E-mail: filatovinstitut@ukr.net
State Institution “The Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine. V.P. Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine
The Council of Bishops of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (PCU) approved the transition to the New Julian calendar from September 1, 2023.
“A historic decision has been made! The Orthodox Church of Ukraine at the Council of Bishops on May 24, 2023 approved an important reform – the transition to the New Julian ecclesiastical calendar from September 1, 2023 has taken place. Congratulations to all Ukrainians!”, – wrote in Facebook Bishop Varsonofy of Uzhgorod and Transcarpathia.
According to the press service of the PCU, this decision preserves the right for parishes and monasteries to use the old calendar.
“The general use of the New Julian calendar after the approval of this decision by the Local Council, which convenes on July 27, 2023, will be introduced from September 1 of this year, when the new church year begins. At the same time, parishes and monasteries wishing to observe the old calendar will have this opportunity – the calendar reform will take place without compulsion, gradually and consciously,” says the report.
Ukrainian industrial company Interpipe shipped a shipment of over 2,600 wheels to Moroccan railroads – Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF).
According to the company’s press release, Interpipe continues to hold the country’s economic front, increasing its exports, in particular to African countries.
It is specified that ONCF usually holds tenders once in three years, concluding long-term agreements with suppliers. Under this contract, the Moroccan railroads use Ukrainian products to update the fleet of passenger cars Fiat AnsaldoBreda electric train and freight cars.
Alexander Garkavy, director of Interpipe’s railway products division, stated that the group has been cooperating with ONCF for about 15 years.
“During this time the company has managed to prove itself a reliable supplier of wheels. Morocco is increasing its rolling stock fleet as part of the construction of a high-speed electric train line, so Interpipe hopes to further develop its partnership with Moroccan railroads,” said the division’s director, quoted by the press service.
He added that the African continent as a whole is a promising market for the development of rail supplies.
“We are already cooperating with Mauritania, Gabon, Egypt and intend to expand our presence in other countries of the region,” Garkavy explained.
“Interpipe is a Ukrainian industrial company producing seamless pipes and railway wheels. The company supplies its products to over 80 countries all over the world through a network of commercial offices located in the key markets of the CIS, Middle East, North America, and Europe. The sales of railway products are carried out under the KLW brand.
Interpipe has 10 thousand employees.
The company consists of five industrial assets: “Interpipe Nizhnedneprovsky Tube Rolling Plant (NTZ)”, “Interpipe Novomoskovsk Tube Plant (NMTZ)”, “Interpipe Niko Tube”, “Interpipe Vtormet” and the electric steelmaking complex “Dneprosteel” under the brand name “Interpipe Steel”.
The ultimate owner of Interpipe Limited is Ukrainian businessman Viktor Pinchuk and his family members.
There is an imbalance between the number of physical rehabilitation centers in Ukraine and the number of rehabilitation specialists that is currently insufficient, according to Vadim Kerestey, head of rehabilitation department of Adonis medical clinic network.
“We can observe a noticeable imbalance between the number of physical rehabilitation centers that have opened over the last year and the number of experienced specialists who can provide quality assistance to the injured”, – he told Interfax-Ukraine.
At the same time, according to Kerestei, “the medical system of Ukraine does not currently have sufficient capacity to provide comprehensive rehabilitation services.”
“The heavy load on the entire medical system of Ukraine, the lack of the necessary number of experienced specialists and specialized centers make it impossible to provide harmonious and versatile rehabilitation care wherever it is needed,” he said.
The expert noted that “the state catastrophically lacks physically enough doctors of rehabilitation medicine: physical therapists and occupational therapists.”
“Many, newly opened, rehabilitation centers are critically understaffed with a team of specialized experienced physicians and must create a team from scratch, with specialists who have very little clinical experience, which consequently affects the quality of patient care,” he said.
At the same time, the expert noted that “the state medical system is changing very rapidly and actively adapting.
“This allows us to say that in the near future we will be able to do everything for the quality and comprehensive recovery of patients who suffered as a result of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine,” he said.
“An option for cooperation between the state and private rehabilitation centers could be the following scenario: since private medical centers already have excellent conditions for comprehensive and effective rehabilitation of victims, the state should guarantee 100% compensation to patients for rehabilitation costs in such medical institutions,” Kerestei believes.
The expert noted that such cooperation may be beneficial for the state due to the specifics of rehabilitation: many state rehabilitation centers cannot provide effective help and there will be a need to undergo repeated courses of treatment several times.
At the same time, according to Kerestei, in private medical centers “after the first cycle, the patient will have significantly better results or even will fully recover and be able to return to normal social life.
Commenting on Adonis’ place in the national rehabilitation system, Kerestay pointed out that the network of medical centers has been working with wounded warriors for more than 15 months.
He reported that Adonis has had “a vivid experience working with charitable foundations and private donors”.
Kerestey stressed that “rehabilitation is an individual and long-term process.”
“Unfortunately, we can’t talk about a specific price range. The cost of rehabilitation depends on the severity of the injury, the accompanying schedules, and the speed and quality of primary care,” he said.
Commenting on the development of prosthetics in Ukraine, Kerestey noted that “the situation in the state medical system is much better in this regard.”
“Now all prosthetics procedures take place at state expense. But providing a prosthesis is only half the success. The victim must first be prepared for the prosthetics procedure (surgeons, prosthetists and rehabilitologists work with him at this stage), and once the prosthesis is fitted, the difficult stage of patient adaptation to using the device begins and this process is impossible without the participation of an experienced rehabilitator,” he said.
