Ukrainian Mira had job offers in Norway – but does not get a work permit from the UDI – NRK Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
Mira Vorotyntseva speaks fluent Norwegian and has previously studied and worked in Norway. When the war broke out in Ukraine, she fled back.
It did not take long before her former employer gave her a job offer.
But actually getting out of the job got worse than she had thought.
Got a job offer
– I was offered several shifts at a child relief home by my former employer, says Vorotyntseva.
She was told by the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) to obtain a temporary work permit from the police.
– The police did not know how to process the application. Eventually, the opportunity to apply for a work permit was removed, says Vorotyntseva.
Thus, the job dream fell apart.
Will fend for itself
– The boss said that the colleagues and the children were looking forward to me starting. Then I was told that I have to wait until the UDI has done the asylum case, and then it became impossible for me to get the job, Mira stated.
Well, she’s been waiting for almost two months without anything happening.
– What does the UDI expect me to do? I can not stay for free with friends indefinitely. I want to pay for myself, says Mira.
She calls for faster treatment for Ukrainian refugees who can go to work.
– The alternative for me to end up back at an asylum reception center. Then I risk being sent around to different receptions in the country until I become a resident. Then it will take a long time before I can get a job, says Vorotyntseva.
– Do not know what happened
The story of Vorotyntseva is confirmed by department head Mehmet Safak in Nav Drammen. Name has been in contact with the UDI several times.
– This is the only case I have experienced where an asylum seeker from Ukraine has a specific job offer, but still does not get the job because the asylum application is not approved, he says.
Vorotyntseva has released Safak from the duty of confidentiality. As the head of the department has understood it, the case processing in the UDI must be fast for the Ukrainian refugees.
– But here I simply do not know what has happened, he says.
NRK has spoken with the Norwegian-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce. They experience that many are frustrated and asked questions about why you can not work when you are Ukrainian and have confirmed identity.
Ukrainian Hanna Korniyenko has a history similar Vorotyntseva. She has a job but is not allowed to start because the Norwegian authorities have not granted a residence permit.
The UDI believes it has not been unreasonably long
Director Frode Forfang of the UDI explains that for some refugees it has taken longer because in the beginning it was a long wait to be registered.
– Now we have a number of systems in place, both for registration and to make decisions about collective protection so that they can work, he continues.
The decision-making process for Ukrainian refugees began in early April. Forfang therefore believes that it has not been an unreasonably long time.
– It is just barely months since the war started, most have come from mid-March and beyond. So many weeks it can not have gone anyway. The vast majority have a quick decision-making process.
Denmark has taken action
The situation in Denmark has also been similar. They have reached the decision that the Ukrainians can start working as soon as they are registered.
The only requirement is that a residence permit has been applied for and there are fingerprints and photos of people. But such a solution will not go for the UDI.
– The situation in Denmark is completely different. There is a much longer time from when you are registered until you get a decision that allows you to work. We have a scheme that means that we now and in the future have about two weeks waiting time. Then it is completely external for us to do the same as Denmark, says Forfang.