Developed countries have long been living with the idea that people are the most valuable asset with tough competition. This applies to people with great talents and experienced specialists, as well as to engineers, managers and skilled and even unskilled workers if the latter are proactive and hardworking. The world has become open, providing better access; its global rules guarantee the free exchange of goods, services, finance and the labor force. Yet, the government must take a clear stance, not only by demonstrating its concern over a brain drain but also developing programs to encourage, motivate workers, let them develop their own potential by all available means, including through self-employment and small businesses, guaranteeing stability and confidence in the future. This opinion was voiced by the Ukrainian League of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (ULIE).
“The issue of preserving the workforce is a matter of national economic security. Poland nowadays employs one million Ukrainian specialists, and it is ready to offer jobs to another million people in 2017. Hungary has given the green light for the employment of 350,000 Ukrainians, and even Belarus invites our workers. According to a December survey by Research & Branding Group, about a third of employable Ukrainians have already thought or think about moving to another country for permanent residence. The emigration of businesses when large companies, mainly innovative ones, change their location for neighboring countries is becoming a trend. It means that today employers are willing to pay high salaries as in the EU rather than putting up with economic instability here,” ULIE President Anatoliy Kinakh has said.
The ULIE and the Anti-Crisis Council of NGOs sharply criticize corruption in the regulatory sector, problems with protection of rights and interests of entrepreneurs, investors in courts and law enforcement agencies.
The ULIE and the Anti-Crisis Council of NGOs insist that a comprehensive program should be developed to support self-employment and SMBs. Threats, groundless raids, fines, closures must be eliminated from regulatory practice vis-à-vis businesses. The Central Bank’s refinancing rate should be gradually reduced, while private banks should be given guarantees encouraging them to lend money to the real sector. The tax burden should be minimal. These issues will be on the agenda of the ULIE’s debates scheduled for the beginning of February.
