Assessing Decent Work of Ukrainian Migrants in EU Countries: Results of Non-Parametric Analysis

Анотація

The article presents the results of a comparative analysis of Ukrainian migrants’ perceptions of elements of decent work in three European Union countries (Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands) based on a survey and non-parametric statistical testing. The main focus is on identifying cross-country differences in the subjective evaluation of working conditions according to structured indicators aligned with the ILO Decent Work Framework. The study is based on a survey of 214 Ukrainian labor migrants (Germany – 115, Poland – 71, Netherlands – 28) conducted in 2024–2025 through anonymous online questionnaires. The non-parametric Conover–Iman test with Holm correction for multiple comparisons was used to statistically assess significant differences, allowing for accurate analysis of ordinal data without assuming normality of the distribution. The results showed that for most of the 19 decent work indicators, no statistically significant cross-country differences were found, confirming the hypothesis of institutional convergence of working conditions within the single European area. The only statistically significant difference concerns additional material rewards: Ukrainians in Poland more frequently reported bonuses, premiums, and additional incentives compared to respondents in Germany. Trend differences are also observed in indicators of working time flexibility, suggesting a relatively higher subjective assessment of work autonomy in Poland. The absence of significant differences in basic work parameters is explained by three interrelated factors: harmonized EU labor standards (Occupational Safety Directive – Working Time Directive, anti-discrimination legislation), the sectoral concentration of Ukrainian migrants in similar employment sectors, and shared structural barriers that migrants encounter regardless of country of residence. The results show that the qualitative characteristics of decent work vary between countries more than the basic parameters, highlighting the decisive role of national institutional specificities and the type of employment contracts. The study has practical significance for shaping policies on the integration of migrants in EU countries, particularly with regard to ensuring access to professional development, increasing the transparency of supplementary compensation systems, and expanding opportunities for flexible forms of employment while preserving basic social guarantees.

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