“What, we don’t have our own workforce?” he asked. Referring to a rising population of Chinese in Ukraine, Lutsenko said: “If you want to go to China, buy a ticket and take a vacation there.” Then he compounded his insensitivity further by saying: “You can consider me a racist, but I won’t allow another Kharkiv or Odesa to be set up in Kyiv,” he said, in reference to thriving populations of foreigners in those cities. “The rules are as follows: we give permission only if they marry one of our own [women],” he said to top cops in Kyiv.
All countries protect their workers. But Lutsenko's rhetoric effectively sanctioned discrimination. Defending himself, Lutsenko said he was referring to corruption in issuing permits. Yet his words seem to speak for themselves.
While on the topic, Ukraine needs to liberalize its labor laws to allow more foreigners in. Companies now face barriers in employing non-citizens. Laws require employers to prove Ukrainians can’t do the job. These restrictions hinder the talent pool. The policy is also bad economics. Nations that welcome new people and ideas flourish.
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