In Ukraine's information space, there is increasingly talk of a so-called "invasion" of workers from India and Pakistan. These rumors, actively spread on social media, create a false impression of the scale of migration processes in the country. However, the reality is different: Ukraine is psychologically unprepared for a massive influx of foreign labor, and the rumors themselves often turn out to be exaggerations or fake news.
Societal Psychological Unpreparedness
This was stated by Nagender Parashar, a Ukrainian entrepreneur of Indian origin, founder of a prosthetics production facility and the "Bez Obmezhennya" (Without Limitations) rehabilitation center network. In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, he emphasized that Ukrainian society is not yet ready to accept a large number of foreigners.
"No, society is not ready. Let's first take a snapshot of public opinion," Parashar noted. According to him, even for him, a person who has lived in Ukraine for a long time, not everything goes smoothly. "I have friends here who love me. But there are also people who react differently. And now imagine a worker who comes not knowing the language at all," the businessman added.
Economic Realities and Wage Levels
One of the key arguments against the mass recruitment of migrants is the level of wages in Ukraine. It is significantly lower than in Israel, Western European countries, or the USA, where foreign workers have long been integrated into the economy and do not face discrimination.
"If we are talking about wage levels, then in Ukraine they are far from as high as in Israel or Western European and American countries. Those societies are long prepared. They have been living like that for years. And there, no one points a finger at a foreigner," Parashar explained.
Moreover, many qualified specialists from India and Pakistan can earn similar amounts in their home countries, where there are no military threats and where they feel safe. "Here, welders are urgently needed in Ukraine. What salary can we offer them? Well, somewhere around a thousand dollars. A qualified, great specialist will earn that same thousand dollars at home, in India," the entrepreneur said.
Rumors and Fakes: Who and Why Are They Blowing Them Up?
According to Parashar, rumors about the "mass recruitment of migrants" and the "figures" voiced on social media are absurd. "They say that they are already arriving. Have you checked how many there actually are? Well, maybe there are 100 people for all of Ukraine. There are no millions," he stated.
The entrepreneur also pointed out that some Telegram channels use the topic of migrants to incite panic. "Some write: 'Look, Indians have arrived,' and others reply: 'That's what you deserve.' I don't know what that specific case on one of the videos was, but, as far as is known, it wasn't an Indian at all," he told.
Who Benefits from Speculation?
In Parashar's opinion, those speculating on the topic of migrants are "armchair experts" who hate everyone — both President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the authorities in general, and foreigners. They use this topic to create a negative background and incite social tension.
"They look for two people in Ivano-Frankivsk, ten people in Kyiv... But, honestly, maybe even those aren't there," the specialist noted.
Conclusions: Critical Perception of Information
Nagender Parashar urges the public to perceive all information about migrants critically. "All this information needs to be perceived critically," he concluded.
Earlier, it was reported that Russia was spreading fake news about migrants in Ukraine and is now looking for labor in India. In addition, the State Migration Service revealed the truth about a loud fake that "Ukrainians will be replaced by migrants".
Thus, the topic of attracting foreign labor in Ukraine remains complex and requires careful preparation of society. For now, rumors of an "invasion" do not correspond to reality and only create unnecessary tension.
