New measures to help companies employ persons from Ukraine

As in Denmark, persons from Ukraine in Norway are covered by special rules on residence permits since 11 March 2022. That means that collective protection for this group is temporarily guaranteed, so that no persons from Ukraine also has to satisfy the normal requirements relating to individual assessments. Instead, the moment a decision on collective protection is taken by the relevant local authority, they can start working.

Broader protection and more flexible introduction to the labour market

Today, those who receive collective protection both have a right and a duty to participate in an introductory program on the Norwegian language, working life and society. The program is full-time and of a minimum duration of three months. Paid work can be part of the program.

According to the proposed new rules, this introductory program should – for persons from Ukraine - be shorter, language training more flexible, and skill assessment an option instead of a duty. This aims to ensure that persons from Ukraine, who have a high level of education and skill, participate in an adapted and shorter introductory program. At the same time, the proposal includes making the introductory program a right, not an obligation, for persons with collective protection.

Moreover, collective protection has currently been reserved for persons who lived in Ukraine before 24 February 2022. In Norway, however, there were already many seasonal workers and students from Ukraine with temporary residence permits before the war began. Several persons from this group now experience that their residence permit expires without the possibility of renewal.

The Norwegian government is therefore also proposing that the scope of protection should be expanded to cover a broader group. If adopted, seasonal workers and students from Ukraine who arrived in Norway before the war will also be protected. This will mean that this group can continue as before the war, while also receiving more rights - such as family reunification.

IUNO’s opinion

The government's proposal is only part of the measures that ensure that persons from Ukraine settle in safely in Norway. However, companies wishing to employ persons who have received collective protection should monitor the situation continuously to ensure that any requirements are complied with.

IUNO recommends that companies familiarize themselves with the rules if they are considering employing persons from Ukraine. Companies that want to do this can also contact the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration, which can put companies in touch with potential employees with the right skills.

[The Ministry of Justice and Public Security’s draft bill Prop. 107 L of 29 April 2022]