PM decries reports on travel ban for Ukrainian labor migrants as "fake news", "lies"

No restrictions have been imposed on the departure of Ukrainian nationals willing to work in the European Union, while the Cabinet seeks to have proper conditions ensured for Ukrainian employees abroad, says Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

"As for restricting travel – this is fake news and lies. The government never imposed any restrictions," PM told a government Q&A session in Parliament on Wednesday, according to an UNIAN correspondent.

"Negotiations are underway with European governments where we discuss that, if our citizens are invited to do some work in European countries, this should be official jobs, there should be healthcare guarantees, there should be a guarantee of the return of our people [to Ukraine], guarantees of normal working conditions, as well as living conditions at the official level," Shmyhal said.

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"For the first time, we have the opportunity to conduct dialogue on equal terms to protect the interests of our people in European countries, and today the companies that invite our people to work there fully comply with these conditions," said Shmyhal.

Also, the prime minister said that when it comes to employment in Europe, this shouldn't be "two-week tourism here and there and import-export of coronavirus."

"We did not keep the country on lockdown for two months - and the whole of Europe is still keeping their countries closed – only to have 100,000-200,000 infected persons coming here while we keep fighting and see our economy struggling," he said.

In this regard, the Government seeks to ensure that European employers guarantee decent working conditions.

Also, within our country, the government is working to ensure safety.