Ukrainian refugees given shelter in Dumfries and Galloway are expressing a willingness to find work to help pay their way while living here.
Around 660 Ukrainians are expected to be given shelter in the region for up to three years, and the number of resettlements has increased over the past three months.
Roughly 250 householders who have taken these people into their homes as sponsors were praised at Thursday’s full council meeting for their support and generosity.
A payment of £350 per month per family is made to sponsors and private hosts and the government provides £10,500 per year per family to local authorities to cover their basic living expenses.
However, councillors also heard how steps have been taken to offer employment to Ukrainians in the region.
Liz Manson, the council’s community planning and engagement officer, said: “We are certainly finding that they are extremely keen to work and be self-supporting. Therefore, we need to take that into account when looking at our request to the Scottish Government and national government for a continuation of funding.”
She added: “The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has been organising a series of job fairs across the region. We’ve had them already in Stranraer, Annan and Dumfries.
“It was said to employers, ‘there’s an opportunity for you to come and identify to people what posts you’ve got available’.
“They’re not just for resettled guests or refugees, they’re open to anyone. But there’s been particular promotion with Ukrainian guests through the DWP job coaches and that has proved successful already.”
Mid and Upper Nithsdale Councillor Jim Dempster highlighted that there are 20 empty properties in Kirkconnel and claimed that there are also job opportunities at a food factory nearby.
He said: “Browns Food Group are desperate for employees. They’re a major employer – one of the biggest in Dumfries and Galloway – we should do what we can to channel our Ukrainian guests, or indeed anyone who wants employment, to that business.”
Castle Douglas Councillor Pauline Drysdale said: “I was very fortunate to have some lunch with some of our Ukrainian guests a few weeks ago, which was a really interesting experience.
“Councillor Dempster said there’s a severe labour shortage. In our ward, and most of the rural wards, we’re finding that there’s a real shortage of milk relief just now.
“I have been approached by a number of farmers, and also Ukrainian guests on the resettlement scheme would be quite keen to join up with the farm industry.”
Both Councillor Drysdale and her Conservatives colleague, Councillor Malcolm Johnstone, asked to be provided with further information on work status for Ukrainians, details of temporary national insurance numbers, and any other required paperwork for being employed in the region.
