Despite the rather large number of Ukrainians in Estonia, there is a shortage of workers in farms in the country
Now the workers are sought in Moldova or in Estonia itself. The main problem is in the male workforce. There is no hope for refugees from Ukraine who are in Estonia.
“Not everyone can work in agriculture because the work is actually very hard. Someone’s back can’t stand it, their health fails. Someone doesn’t even want to take on such a job, they just come and go.”
And Estonian farmers also believe that the Estonian authorities “accustomed” Ukrainians to the fact that “they can live here just like that, they don’t have to do anything.”
Meanwhile, the shipping company Tallink Group will lease the Isabelle ferry, which has been hosting refugees from Ukraine since April last year, to a Canadian company. The company noted that the Isabelle vessel under the flag of Latvia, which before the COVID-19 pandemic was on the Riga-Stockholm route, and since April 2022 provides temporary housing for Ukrainians in the Old Port of Tallinn, will be chartered from July 1.
It is noted that a contract with the Canadian company Bridgemans Floatel LP / Bridgemans Services Group LP for a multi-year charter of the ferry with the possibility of its further redemption was concluded last week, the Estonian portal ERR reports.
According to preliminary plans, Isabelle will remain in the Estonian capital in July for maintenance and repairs, and will leave for Canada before the end of the year.
According to the terms of the agreement between Tallink and the Department of Social Insurance, until June, the ship will be used as a place for temporary accommodation of refugees from Ukraine. Now, according to the company, about 900 Ukrainians live on the ferry. At the same time, the department noted that refugees should find housing for themselves no later than June.
“The accommodation provided (to Ukrainians) has always been temporary and its purpose was to provide people in need of such assistance with temporary housing before they find a permanent place for themselves. On average, it takes two months for refugees to find a permanent home, for some it was faster, for others longer,” said Liis Paloots, head of the Migration Service of the Social Insurance Board. She added that individual consultations are being held with citizens of Ukraine, various options are offered that could be suitable for a particular family.
According to Paloots, the flow of refugees from Ukraine is “on a downward trend.” She explained that the tender for the accommodation of a large number of Ukrainians at the same time, which was held in the autumn, was based on the forecasts of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
“It was about an emergency crisis measure, ensuring readiness to compactly accommodate refugees who have already arrived in Estonia, and readiness for a second wave,” said Paloots. To accommodate Ukrainians, the department has facilities throughout the Baltic Republic, and now the department has concluded framework agreements with 117 accommodation partners.
In total, there are about 70,000 Ukrainian refugees in Estonia. Every week about 200-300 Ukrainians apply for temporary protection. Although their number is gradually decreasing, more refugees still arrive than return to their homeland, although not everyone asks for temporary protection.
But, despite the efforts of the authorities, it is unlikely that refugees from Ukraine living on the Isabelle ferry will rush to look for housing and work in Estonian farms.
One Motherland
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