Four hundred Ukrainian refugees are already working in Amsterdam: “A nice distraction”
Since 1 April, refugees from Ukraine can legally work in the Netherlands. So far this is going without any problems. According to the most recent figures from the UWV, more than 400 refugee Ukrainians are now employed in Amsterdam. Also Anastasiia and Mietra, we visit during working hours.
Anastasiia fled the war two months ago with her daughter and mother. She was a lawyer in Ukraine, now she works as a manager in the Kleine Parade children’s shop in De Pijp. Despite missing in Ukraine, she is happy to be able to work in Amsterdam: “This work ensures a smooth transition through the week. It provides more stability in my work life.”
Mietra has also fled her homeland and has recently started working in the city. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday she can be found in Tilly’s Nagelstudio in Amsterdam-Zuid. Mierta has worked as a nail technician in Ukraine for twelve years: “My work here is no different than at home. It is a nice distraction that I can work here, so I don’t have to think about the past.”
language barrier
However, both Mietra and Anastasiia sometimes find it difficult to talk to customers. Mietra says: “I would like to talk to my customers, but I can’t speak English well yet. I have started taking English classes. I hope I will improve soon.”
Anastasiia can make herself understood in English. Everything is in Dutch there, so she started learning some Dutch words. “She picks up the words quickly,” says a colleague. “She actually has to, if people want to settle here.”
Future
Anastasiia would prefer to go to her homeland: “My father, partner and the rest of my family are all still in Ukraine. When the war is over in two months of six months, I will go back. But nobody knows what will happen . It is what it is. We try to stay positive.”
Mietra hopes to stay in Amsterdam in the long term: “I have nothing left in Ukraine. My apartment in Irpin was bombed and now I want to build a life in Amsterdam.” They hope that more customers can find her and work in the nail salon more often.