Ukraina ENG

COUNTRY FACT SHEET

UKRAINE

Disclaimer IOM has carried out the gathering of information with great care. IOM provides information at its best knowledge and in all conscience.

Nevertheless, IOM cannot assume to be held accountable for the correctness of the information provided. Furthermore, IOM shall not be liable for any conclusions made or any results, which are drawn from the information provided by IOM. 1

COUNTRY FACT SHEET TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS I. GENERAL INFORMATION II. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

1. Public Services / Infrastructure

2. Communication Network III. SOCIAL WELFARE

1. General Information: Legislation

2. Child Allowance

3. Special Conditions IV. PENSIONS

1. General Information

2. Preconditions for obtaining a Pension

3. Supplementary Pension Scheme

4. Required Personal Documentation

5. Remittance of Accrued Entitlements through

Estonian Pension Scheme V. MEDICAL CARE

1. General Information

2. Availability and Costs of Medicine

3. Availability of Medical Care and Treatment

4. Health Insurance

5. Required Personal Documentation VI. HOUSING

1. Accommodation for Returnees without Family in Ukraine

2. Housing Space and Renting Costs

3. Electricity and Gas heating

VII. EMPLOYMENT

1. Labour Market Situation

2. Employment Service

3. Unemployment Assistance

4. Further Education Possibilities and Vocational Training VIII. EDUCATION

1. Educational System and Infrastructure

2. Conditions for the Continuation of Education

3. Approval and Verification of Foreign Diplomas

4. Needed Documents for Returning Pupils / Students

5. Costs and Stipends IX. OBTAINING DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR RETURNEES X. REINTEGRATION ASSISTANCE

1. Reintegration Assistance

2. Financial and Administrative Support

3. Procedures to start Self-employment XI. VULNERABLE PERSONS

1. Assistance to Women and Mothers coming home alone

2. Disabled Persons

3. Persons with a Mental Disorder

4. Education for disabled children

XII. OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

1. Military Service

2. Customs issues XIII. USEFUL LINKS

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COUNTRY FACT SHEET I. GENERAL INFORMATION • • • • • •

• • • • •

Population: 45,700,395 Area: 603 550 sq km Capital: Kyiv (Kiev) Head of State: President Viktor Yanukovych (since 25 February 2010) GDP/capita: $6,300 (2009 est.)

Religions: Ukrainian Orthodox - Kyiv Patriarchate 50.4%, Ukrainian Orthodox Moscow Patriarchate 26.1%, Ukrainian Greek Catholic 8%, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox 7.2%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, Protestant 2.2%, Jewish 0.6%, other 3.2% (2006 est.)

Official language: Ukrainian 67%, Other languages: Russian 24%, Romanian, Polish and Hungarian - in total 9% Ethnic Groups: Ukrainian 77.8%, Russian 17.3%, Belarusian 0.6%, Moldovan 0.5%, Crimean Tatar 0.5%, Bulgarian 0.4%, Hungarian 0.3%, Romanian 0.3%, Polish 0.3%, Jewish 0.2%, other 1.8% (2001 census) Life expectancy: 68,25 years Monetary unit: hryvnia (UAH), kopiyka (1EUR=10,38UAH)

Ukraine was the center of the first eastern Slavic state, Kyivan Rus, which during the 10th and 11th centuries was the largest and most powerful state in Europe. Weakened by internecine quarrels and Mongol invasions, Kyivan Rus was incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and eventually into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The cultural and religious legacy of Kyivan Rus laid the foundation for Ukrainian nationalism through subsequent centuries. A new Ukrainian state, the Cossack Hetmanate, was established during the mid-17th century after an uprising against the Poles. Despite continuous Muscovite pressure, the Hetmanate managed to remain autonomous for well over 100 years. During the latter part of the 18th century, most Ukrainian ethnographic territory was absorbed by the Russian Empire. Following the collapse of czarist Russia in 1917, Ukraine was able to achieve a short-lived period of independence (1917-20), but was reconquered and forced to endure a brutal Soviet rule that engineered two forced famines (1921-22 and 1932-33) in which over 8 million died. In World War II, German and Soviet armies were responsible for some 7 to 8 million more deaths. Although final independence for Ukraine was achieved in 1991 with the dissolution of the USSR, democracy and prosperity remained elusive as the legacy of state control and endemic corruption stalled efforts at economic reform, privatization, and civil liberties. A peaceful mass protest “Orange Revolution” in the closing months of 2004 forced the authorities to overturn a rigged presidential election and to allow a new internationally monitored vote that swept into power a reformist slate under Viktor Yushcenko. Subsequent internal squabbles in the Yushcenko camp allowed his rival Viktor Yanukovych to stage a comeback in parliamentary elections and become prime minister in August of 2006. An early legislative election, brought on by a political crisis in the spring of 2007, saw Yuliya Tymoshenko, as head of an “Orange” coalition, installed as a new prime minister in December 2007. Viktor Yanukovych was elected president in a February 2010 run-off election that observers assessed as meeting most international standards. The following month, the Rada approved a vote of no-confidence prompting Yuliya Tymoshenko to resign from her post as prime minister.

II. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 1. Public Services / Infrastructure The Ukrainian public services and infrastructure are heavily built on the Soviet structure.

Well developed in some aspects, it should however be noted that the economic crises following the Soviet Union disintegration has had severe negative impacts on most aspects 3

COUNTRY FACT SHEET of public services and the infrastructure, which today, in general, are under-financed.

Railways: All big cities, towns and a lot of villages have railway stations, which can be reached by trains, electric trains. Electric trains (for commuter traffic as well; routes cover the whole of Ukraine and neighboring countries) may be standard, inexpensive and less comfortable with a lot of stops. On the other hand, “comfortable” electric trains may either have 1 class or 3 classes, have high speed, cozy seats, TV sets, restaurants and the price is higher and depends on the class. Trains are standard and high-speed ones; both with 3 classes.

Roads: All roads are paved in Ukraine; the roads (quality) are better in big cities and between main Ukrainian (oblast) centers. All roads (highways) are free in Ukraine.

Ports: Ukraine has Sea of Azov and Black Sea. There are 18 trade ports (within the jurisdiction of Ministry of Transport of Ukraine), 4 sea fish ports and a lot of ports and docks are property of private business and organizations. The 3rd biggest river in Europe is in Ukraine. There is a great number of river ports as well.

Airports: There are 30 airports in Ukraine; 13 of which are international.

Rail transport: railway tickets can be bought in the “Ukrainian Center for passenger service at the rail transport of Ukraine” at the address 38/40, Tarasa Shevchenka Avenue, Kyiv, tel.: 38-044-239-88-15.

A linen cost is already included into the ticket’s price. Railway tickets can be bought without passport showing.

Kyiv - Simferopol Higher class compartment3 Middle class compartment4 Lower class compartment Kyiv - Odesa Higher class compartment Middle class compartment Lower class compartment Kyiv - Sevastopol Higher class compartment Middle class compartment Lower class compartment Kyiv- Kharkiv Higher class compartment Middle class compartment Lower class compartment Kyiv - lviv Higher class compartment Middle class compartment Lower class compartment Kyiv – Dnipropetrovsk Higher class compartment Middle class compartment Lower class compartment

848 UAH ~ 87 EUR 176 UAH ~ 18 EUR 116 UAR ~ 12EUR 617 UAH ~ 64 EUR 157 UAH ~ 16 EUR 89 UAH ~ 9 EUR 680 UAH ~ 70 EUR 176 UAH ~ 18 EUR 116 UAH ~ 12 EUR 477 UAH ~ 49 EUR 98 UAH ~ 10 EUR 67 UAH ~ 7 EUR 421 UAH ~ 42 EUR 168 UAH ~ 17 EUR 96 UAH ~ 10 EUR 514 UAH ~ 53 EUR 175 UAH ~ 18 EUR 108 UAH ~ 11 EUR

Bus transport: during recent years the bus passenger transportation system in Ukraine 4

COUNTRY FACT SHEET has developed, simplified and became more accessible to passengers. From the Kyiv Central Railway Station it is possible to get to Rivne, Vinnytsya, Poltava, Odesa, Sumy, Khmelnytskyy by micro-buses. These routes are organized by entrepreneurs and depart as they are filled up with passengers, prices are varied.

From the Kyiv Bus-station (3, Moskovska Square, Kyiv, tel.: 451-86-28, 525-04-92, 525-0530) buses depart according to the schedule into the various destinations all over Ukraine.

Kyiv - Ivanofrankivsk 134 UAH ~ 14 EUR Kyiv - Poltava 68 UAH ~ 7 EUR Kyiv - Odesa 160 UAH ~ 16 EUR Kyiv - Kharkiv 129 UAH ~ 13 EUR Kyiv - Dnipropentovsk 102 UAH ~ 10 EUR Kyiv - Donetsk 160 UAH ~ 16 EUR Kyiv - Zaporizhzhya 117 UAH ~ 12 EUR Kyiv - Lugansk 148 UAH ~ 15 EUR Kyiv - Yalta 194 UAH ~ 20 EUR Air transports: The largest Ukrainian air companies are Aerosvit (main office: 58A Shevchenko Avenue, Kyiv, tel: +38 (044) 235 87 10, fax: +38 (044) 235 87 15) and Ukraine International airlines (main office: 63A B. Khmelnytskogo St, Kyiv, tel: +38 (044) 461 5050, fax: +38 (044) 230 88 66.

Kyiv - Simferopol 1280 UAH ~ 132 EUR Kyiv - Odesa 1232UAH ~ 127 EUR Kyiv - Lviv 1118 UAH ~ 115 EUR Kyiv - Uzhgorod 1280 UAH ~ 132 EUR Kyiv - Chenivtsi 1185 UAH ~ 122 EUR Kyiv - Lugansk 1280 UAH ~ 132 EUR Kyiv - Donetsk 1080 UAH ~ 111 EUR Kyiv - Zaporizhzhya 997 UAH ~ 102 EUR The public transportation system in Ukraine includes buses, trams and trolleybuses (not in all cities), private minibuses and metro (not in all cities). Indicative prices on June 2009 Kyiv 1 bus (tramway, trolley-bus) ticket - 1.5 UAH (≈ 0.15 EUR); subway - 1.75 UAH (≈0.19 EUR).

1 bus ticket in a private minibus – 2.00 – 2.50 UAH (≈0.2 – 0,25 EUR); 1 km by taxi – 4 UAH (≈0.41 EUR), outside of the city 4.5 UAH (≈0.46 EUR) – official tariff, normally the travel expenses should be previously co-ordinated with a taxioperator/ driver.

Other cities 1 bus (tramway, trolley-bus,) ticket - 1.00 -2.00 UAH (≈ 0.10 – 0.20 EUR); 1 bus ticket in a private minibus – 1.50 - 2.50 UAH (≈0.15 – 0.25 EUR); 1 km by taxi – 2.5 UAH (≈0.26 EUR), outside of the city – 4.5 UAH (≈0.46 EUR) - official tariff, normally the travel expenses should be previously co-ordinated with a taxi-operator/ driver).

Taxi-companies: it could be much more convenient to call a taxi company to order a cab to the specific place and to know a fare beforehand. Most of the taxis are equipped with meters. In addition to official taxis (have lights or signs on the top of the car) there are private drivers who drive around and pick up passengers. Wherever possible it is best to settle on a price beforehand.

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COUNTRY FACT SHEET Transportation of vulnerable cases: Disabled war veterans, disabled workers, persons with childhood disability and veterans of work have the right to travel by metro, bus, trolleybus and local train free of charge.

2. Communication Network Ukraine’s telecommunication development plan, running through 2005, emphasizes improving domestic trunk lines, international connections, and the mobile cellular system.

At independence in December 1991, Ukraine inherited a telephone system that was antiquated, inefficient, and in disrepair; more than 3.5 million applications for telephones could not be satisfied; telephone density is rising slowly and the domestic trunk system is being improved; the mobile cellular telephone system is expanding at a high rate.

Following the Order of Ministry of Transport and Communications of Ukraine “On Approval of Plan of Transition to Advanced Numbering System for Public Fixed Telephone Network in Ukraine” dated 29.09.2008, № 1200, trunk and international prefixes were changed from October 14, 2009.

To call other Ukrainian cities dial 0-city code-phone number.

For international calls dial 0-0-country code-city code-phone number.

III. SOCIAL WELFARE 1. General Information: Legislation Citizens of Ukraine, foreigners, stateless persons and refugees who legally reside on the territory of Ukraine have the right to receive social assistance from Ukraine. There are numerous legal acts, which define groups of persons subject to assistance. It should be well taken into consideration that Ukrainian social assistance is very nominal and is not sufficient for living.

There are two major types of assistance that can be provided: • material allowances (money, food, clothes, shoes, fuel etc.) – The amount for money allowance is calculated according to the monthly income of a person; • social services:

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socio-common (food, transport services, delivery of medicines etc.); psychological (psychological consultations); socio-educational (organization of individual education process, leisure, exercise activities etc.); socio-medical (health care services); socio-economic (cash security, one-time payment); legal (legal consultation, protection of human rights, court representation, justification of legal documents etc.); assistance with job placement (search of relevant jobs); professional rehabilitation for disabled persons (complex of medical, psychological, informational support etc.); informational support.

Preconditions for obtaining Allowances Preconditions for obtaining social assistance differ depending on the type of allowance requested. Usually person has to prove her/his eligibility with proving the fact of belonging to this or that group.

For example: • fact of loosing job (previous availability of job) for unemployed persons; • fact of work trauma and loss of capacity to work; • information on income in case of law-income families etc.

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COUNTRY FACT SHEET Information about different kinds of assistance and preconditions for its obtaining can be found at http://zakon1.rada.gov.ua/cgi-bin/laws/main.cgi - site of Ukrainian legislation.

Required Personal Documentation: • personal application; • birth certificate (child allowance, solitary women, orphans and children deprived of parental care etc); • passport.

2. Child Allowance The following allowances are granted: • pregnancy and childbirth allowance (25% of poverty line per month for able to work woman) - since July 2010 210.75 UAH (≈21.76 EUR); • one time payment by child (in 2010): for the first baby 12240 UAH (≈1250 EUR), for the second baby 25000 UAH (≈2570 EUR), for the third and next babies 50000 UAH (≈5139 EUR); This child allowance grants in installments. The first and the biggest part is provided at the birth – for the first baby - 4800 UAH (≈493 EUR), for the second 4840 UAH (≈497 EUR), for the third – 5000 UAH (≈502 EUR). The remaining is paid out as follows: monthly allowance for the first baby is 620 UAH (≈64 EUR) per month for 12 months after birth, for the second –24 months after birth 840 UAH (≈86 EUR) per month, for the third baby – 1250 UAH (≈128 EUR) monthly for 36 months after birth.

• allowance for baby caring till age of 3 (the allowance can vary some 50% from the minimum allowance allocated for persons who are able to work, also average family monthly income for last 6 months is taken into consideration). Since July 2008, the minimum allowance is 167,25 UAH (≈17 EUR) and maximum 324,5 (≈ 33 EUR); • allowance to single mothers (the allowance can vary some 50% from the poverty line for child of respective age; also average family monthly income for last 6 months is taken into consideration, the allowance cannot be smaller than 30% of poverty line for child of the respective age): for children up to age of 6 – minimum 316 UAH (≈32 EUR), for children from 6 to 18 years – minimum 388 UAH (≈40 EUR), • allowance for orphans and children deprived of parental care for children up to age of 6 – maximum 1264 UAH (≈130 EUR), from 6 to 18 years – maximum 1502 UAH (≈154 EUR); • temporary allowance to children, whose parents evade alimony, have no possibility to keep child or their place of residence is unknown (30% of poverty line imposed by the law for the child of the respective age): for child up to age of 6 – maximum 190 UAH (≈19.52 EUR), from 6 to 18 years – maximum 233 UAH (≈24 EUR).

3. Special Conditions Old persons - The following services are provided: • free of charge medical care in geriatric centers, outpatient centers etc; • free of charge facilities in sanatoria and health care; • free of charge dental care, hearing aid; • social services – supporting vital activities; • housing assistance; • charity food service; 7

COUNTRY FACT SHEET • cultural service; • ritual services.

Single mothers - The allowance is granted to single mothers (not registered in marriage), single adoptive fathers/mothers, in case if child’s birth certificate does not contain information about mother/father. The allowance is also granted to widow/widower with children, who divorced before death of the spouse, who does not receive pension in case of loss of main family provider or other social allowance. Single woman with children, who is not registered in marriage but factually lives with a man, is not granted the allowance.

Precondition to receive the allowance is certificate from registry office. The amount that can be received per child is not less than 30% of monthly minimum wage of the family.

Orphans, children deprived of parental care - State provides full maintenance of orphans and children deprived of parental care. The maintenance cannot be lower than determined minimum standards, which are provided to every child to develop his/her physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social abilities.

Provided social services: • minimum material allowance, expenses on food, clothes, shoes; • housing till age of 18; • housing after 18 years old, if they do not have a place of residence; • first job, employer cannot fire during first 3 years of employment; • one-time state financial support after 18 years old; • monthly payment in case of studying until age of 23; • medical support; • toys, books, newspapers, sport equipment.

Orphans and children deprived of parental care that study are provided with 150 % of ordinary scholarship, 100% of wages during industrial training.

Other minorities - According to the Law of Ukraine on “National minorities in Ukraine”, minorities in Ukraine have the same social rights as Ukrainian nationals.

IV. PENSIONS 1. General Information Legislation The pension system in Ukraine includes three levels of pensions: 1. A solitary system, which includes three types of pensions: • age pension: the pension age for men is 60, and for women 55 (20 years of work experience for women and 25 years of work experience for men).The minimum age pension level is equal to the poverty line for disabled person (706 UAH (~72.57 EUR). The average level of age pension on 1 June, 2010 was 1097 UAH (~113 EUR); • pension for disabled persons: This level of pension is divided into three groups.

I group receives 100% of the age pension, II group receives 90 % of the age pension, and III group receives 50% of the age pension. The groups are defined according to the physical condition of the disabled persons: Persons in I group require exterior assistance, persons in II group do not require exterior assistance, but have obvious malfunction of organism, which limits their studying or working abilities, persons in III group have chronic illness due to injury, disability, which are reducing the ability to work; • pension in case of loss of main family provider: A disabled or aged husband/wife/ mother/father, disabled child, child who studies at institution, university of I-IV level 8

COUNTRY FACT SHEET of accreditation until 23 years old etc., receives pension. The pension is 50% of age pension per one invalid family member. In case if several invalid members claim, 100% of the age pension is divided by the number of claimers.

2. At the present time an accumulative pension system is under elaboration. It is planning to implement first transferring of the insurance payment into the accumulative pension system at the end of 2012. Insurance payment to the compulsory-all state pension insurance has to be transferred into the accumulative fund. Citizens under 40 years will be able to join this system. The system will include the following pensions: • life time pension: - life-time pension with determined period (monthly payment, which is provided till the end of life, but not less than 10 years since the time of appointment), - life-time pension (monthly payment, provided during the life of pensioner), matrimonial pension (monthly payment to a person, after his/her death it is transferred to his/her spouse when the latter retires); • one-time payment (is provided in case of permanent emigration).

3. Private pension schemes, which are based on voluntary participation of citizens, employers and their associations in creation of pension accumulations. Private pension maintenance is provided by: • pension funds, by signing pension agreements between managers of pension funds and depositors; • insurance companies, by signing life-time pension agreements, disablement insurance or life insurance; • banks, by opening pension accounts.

Pension system The pension system is accessible for all Ukrainian citizens (including returnees). As a part of state pension insurance system, special privileged (occupational) pension schemes have been introduced for different categories of workers: civil servants, military personnel, judges, and principally workers involved in hazardous or difficult work environment.

The state pension programme concludes mandatory contributions by employers and employees and from the state budget, social insurance funds and other sources. The employers’ contribution is set at 33.2 percent of the total wage and employees at 2 percent. The government is providing a minimum pension representing 20 per cent of the average wage.

2. Preconditions for obtaining a Pension Age pension - The precondition for obtaining age pension is to have no less than five years of work experience. In case a person postpones his or her retirement, and complies with the requirement of having 20/25 years of work experience to receive the minimum pension, the following accumulations are provided: Years of postponing retirement / Increase of pension: 1 year 2 years 3 years 4 years 5 years 6 years 7 years 8 years

3% 6.71% 11,83% 18, 64% 27,07% 36,46% 46,85% 58,43%

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COUNTRY FACT SHEET For disabled persons –To receive the disablement pension, it must be determined to which disability group a person belongs. Pension is granted for permanent disability, for aged persons until the end of their life, for others there are special medical-social expert commissions that examine their physical condition every 3 years. The requirement for receiving the pension the first time is to provide a medical certificate.

In order to receive the pension for disabled pensions, the following requirements in terms of work experience has to be met: • up to 24 years old - 2 years of work experience; • from 24 up to 27 years old – 3 years of work experience; • from 27 up to 31 years old – 4 years of work experience; • from 32 years and older – 5 years of work experience.

3. Supplementary Pension Scheme Accumulation system within the mandatory state pension insurance system is based on employee contributions invested in pension funds. The contribution is 7% of monthly earnings. This system is supposed to be paid out life annuities or lump sum in special cases (critical state of health, too small accumulated amount, residence out of Ukraine) (Fully reliable information on the cost of pension insurance within the future accumulative system is not available.)

4. Required Personal Documentation In order to obtain a pension, submission of following documents is required: • application for granting pension; • documentations on work experience (original); • certificate on amount of wage (original); • documents on residence of person; • documents on specific status of person; • petition on pre-term pension.

5. Remittance of Accrued Entitlements through Estonian Pension Scheme Citizens of Ukraine who emigrated on permanent residence are not granted pensions, only pensions on work related injury (impairment) and professional disease could be granted.

Foreign pensions are recognized if there are respective bilateral or multilateral international agreements. Agreement on Social Affairs between Estonia and Ukraine was signed on 20.02.1997, based on which returnees from Estonia can be registered in Ukraine for pension. It is necessary to provide the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of Ukraine with certificate on participation in the Estonian pension system.

Social Security Agreement between Estonia and Ukraine from 20.02.1997, came into force 28.01.1998, renewed 5.10.2010 V. MEDICAL CARE 1. General Information As the State promotes the development of medical institutions of all forms of ownership, there are both state and private hospitals and clinics in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Constitution states that the State is responsible for the creation of conditions for effective medical service accessible to all citizens. State and communal health protection institutions provide medical care free of charge. It does not include medicines, which the patients have to purchase at own cost.

The economic crisis in the country has had a catastrophic impact on medical services.

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COUNTRY FACT SHEET Hospitals are being deteriorating, doctors are poorly paid, medicine and equipment are in short supply. The situation in central cities is better than in rural areas, where hospitals can hardly provide for any serious treatment. A person from the countryside, with a more or less serious medical problem, should seek assistance in the nearest regional (local town) hospital.

2. Availability and Costs of Medicine In most cases, medicaments are available but patients should purchase them at own cost. The cost of medicaments depends upon the sphere of treatment and producer.

Medicaments imported to Ukraine are more expensive than those produced in Ukraine.

For example, a pack of aspirin (20 tablets) produced in Ukraine would approximately cost 2.00 UAH (~0.21 EUR) and the same produced in Switzerland would cost 14.00 UAH (~1.43 EUR).

3. Availability of Medical Care and Treatment According to the Ukrainian legislation, everyone has the right to health protection, medical care and medical insurance.

The State and communal health protection institutions provide medical care free of charge to all Ukrainian citizens. But due to constant insufficient funding, the state medical treatment is often on a rather poor level. Free of charge medical care is financed on the account of proceeds from the compulsory social insurance that is a part of the tax system of Ukraine. Private medical treatment and private health insurance are also available, especially in the urban centers. The most popular private healthcare clinics are Medikom (www.medikom.kiev.ua) and Borys (www.boris.kiev.ua). The costs of their services are rather expensive, but the quality is often higher than those provided in public hospitals.

This can be explained by the fact that the state does not provide enough funding to the medical sphere.

There is a network of mental hospital in Ukraine. Their level differs according the stage of mental disorder. The upper level mental hospital is located in Kyiv city. Patients are provided with full board accommodation and medical treatment.

Trauma – Ukraine provides emergency services in case of trauma/accidents.

Transplantation of organs can be provided in specific transplantation hospitals in Kyiv and Kharkiv and in ordinary hospitals in Kyiv, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, Lviv, Odesa, IvanoFrankivsk, Kirovograd, Lutsk, Mariupol, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Cherkasy, Chernivtsi.

4. Health Insurance The Ukrainian legislation provides for two types of insurance: obligatory and voluntary.

Medical insurance is listed among the types of obligatory insurance. However, it does not exist yet in practice. The voluntary types of insurance are: life insurance, accident insurance, permanent medical health insurance and health insurance in cases of illness.

Information about insurance companies can be found at http://www.infostrax.com.ua For example, the annual medical insurance in insurance company “INGO-Ukraine� costs, depending on various insurance plans, from 2442 UAH (251 EUR) to 7596 UAH (781 EUR) 5. Required Personal Documentation In order to receive health care at a public health care centre, a person has to provide his or her identification document (national passport) and medical card. Private clinics do not 11

COUNTRY FACT SHEET request any documents. In order to receive general health treatment in state clinic one has to be registered in the area which is covered by that clinic.

VI. HOUSING 1. Accommodation for Returnees without Family in Ukraine There are no special social/public services that are responsible for helping returnees in finding a place to live.

Centre for reintegration of homeless citizens of Ukraine within the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy provides support to homeless people. Homeless citizens are accommodated within the centre, provided with food and given other necessary services for intellectual development. The following documents should be submitted to the centre: • personal application; • extraction from medical card.

Before being accepted to the centre, a person has to sign an agreement with the centre, which determines term of staying there, services that are to be provided, rights and obligations of both parties.

With regards to the social accommodation, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine as of 19 March, 2008, fixed the following temporary minimal standards: • 6 sq.m. of dwelling space per one person in social hostels for families and singles; • 22 sq.m. of general dwelling space in apartments and country houses per family of 2 persons and additionally 9.3 sq.m. per each next family member.

2. Housing Space and Renting Costs The housing situation in Ukraine is very difficult. The government provides some dwelling, however in a very limited quantity. Most people live in apartments built during the Soviet period.

According to the Ukrainian legislation, the government provides 13.65 square meter of dwelling space per person (excluding lavatory, kitchen and corridor). Citizens of Ukraine have the right to rent state dwelling for perpetual term. To obtain a dwelling premise one has to be registered in the district council according to the place of residence and place of employment. One can be refused of registration because of the following: • moving to another region for permanent residence within the country (registration according to place of residence); • change of place of employment (according to place of work); • conviction to 6 month of imprisonment; • submission of fake documents for registration.

In case of death of registered person, his family has the right of his record.

The following categories of persons are granted dwelling in the first place: • families of soldiers; • heroes of Soviet Union; • seriously ill persons, suffering from chronic diseases; • persons suffering from HIV/AIDS; • mothers, granted with “Mother-heroine” award; • families with twins.

The following categories of persons are granted premises out of turn: • disabled veterans of Second World War; • citizens whose dwellings were damaged due to natural disaster; 12

COUNTRY FACT SHEET • disabled children without family.

The legal ground for the dwelling is dwelling order.

In practice, it is almost impossible to obtain a dwelling through the social services.

According to special regulations on this issue all people are waiting for their turn for decades. Some employers provide dormitories or other places to live for their workers. It is possible to buy a new or used apartment but an average family can hardly afford it. The interest rates for bank loans currently constitute from 16 % in EUR to 25 % in UAH. During the economic crisis in 2009 apartment prices decreased and construction of new buildings was suspended. In 2010 the prices have slightly increased.

Prices of used apartment in some regional cities and the capital in July 2010: • Kyiv - 9500UAH/sq.m (925 EUR/sq.m) • Donetsk – 8000 UAH/sq.m (822 EUR/sq.m) • Lugansk - 6000 UAH/sq.m (617 EUR/sq.m) • Odesa – 9000 UAH/sq.m (925 EUR/sq.m) • Lviv – 9000 UAH/sq.m (925 EUR/sq.m) • Uzhgorod – 6000 UAH/sq.m (617 EUR/sq.m) State reconstruction assistance is not available. However, it is possible to obtain the bank loan for reconstruction. Most of the banks have this kind of loans and can provide full information upon application.

3. Electricity and Gas heating Power supply prices At the present the following power supply prices are established in Ukraine: population resides in cities/ towns – 0.2436 UAH (~0.025 EUR) per 1 kilowatt /hour; population resides in village areas – 0.225 UAH (~0.023 EUR) per 1 kilowatt/hour; population resides in houses equipped with kitchen electrical appliances, electro-heating units (including in village areas) – 0.1872 UAH (~0.0192 EUR) per 1 kilowatt /hour.

However increase in electricity prices is foreseen by the end of 2010.

Gas heating Retail prices on natural gas supplied to population needs since 1 August 2010: • in case the total usage of natural gas is not higher 2500 cubic metre, and:

o gas meter is installed – 0.7254 UAH (~0.075 EUR) per 1 cubic metre,

o gas meter is not installed – 0.7980 UAH (~0.082 EUR) per 1 cubic metre; •

in case the total usage of natural gas is not higher 12000 cubic metre, and: o gas meter is installed – 2.2482 UAH ((~ 0.231 EUR) per 1 cubic meter, o gas meter is not installed – 2.4732 UAH (~0.254 EUR) per 1 cubic metre

•

in case the total usage of natural gas is not higher 12000 cubic metre, and: o gas meter is installed – 2.2482 UAH ((~ 0.231 EUR) per 1 cubic meter, o gas meter is not installed – 2.4732 UAH (~0.254 EUR) per 1 cubic metre

•

•

in case the total usage of natural gas is not higher 12000 cubic metre, and o gas meter is installed – 2.2482 UAH ((~ 0.231 EUR) per 1 cubic meter o gas meter is not installed – 2.4732 UAH (~0.254 EUR) per 1 cubic metre in case the total usage of natural gas is higher 12000 cubic metre, and o gas meter is installed – 2.6856 UAH (~0.276 EUR) per 1 cubic meter, o gas meter is not installed – 2.9541 UAH (~0.30363 EUR) per 1 cubic metre 13

COUNTRY FACT SHEET VII. EMPLOYMENT 1. Labour Market Situation According to the Report on Social-Economic situation in Ukraine in the first half of 2010, there were 22.2 million economically active population (15-70 years) (population of Ukraine was 45.888 million persons). The level of employed population was 58%, out of this percentage level - 20.2% worked in the informal sector, the level of unemployed population was 9%. Among employed population (15-70 years) every fifth was engaged in agriculture or industry and every sixth – in trade.

The most employed regions were (descending as listed) Kyiv, Dnipropetrivsk, Kharkiv (Eastern part of Ukraine and the capital) and the least employed (ascending as listed) – Ivano-Frankivsk, Poltava, Ternopil, Riven(Western part of Ukraine).

In January-May 2010 the mean registered quantity of enterprises’, factories’, companies’ and firms’ staff was 9.5 million persons. In January 2010 forced administrative leaves and shortened working days became popular. In Zaporihzhzya oblast every fifth worked on such regime.

On 1 June, 2010 the State Employment Service registered 419.4 thousand unemployed citizens, who were looking for job. This resulted in 62 persons per 10 vacant available positions, among them the more than half were women and third part were youth at the age to 35 year.

Accessing the labour market To access the labour market a person should have: • passport (or other id-document); • work-book; • permission (for foreigners); • diploma (that certify specialty or qualification); • health certificate or other documents.

Some private firms do not always request the work-book and health certificate.

Average wages The average wage for a working person in January 2010 was 2021 UAH (approximately 207,73 EUR) per month. That was in 2.3 times above the level of set minimal wage (869 UAH or ~ 83,32 EUR) and in 2.4 times above poverty line.

The average monthly salary, according to economic activity is provided below: 1. Forestry – 1077 UAH (~ 110,69 EUR); 2. Fisheries – 537 UAH (~ 55,20 EUR); 3. Industry – 2036 UAH (~ 209,27 EUR); 4. Construction – 1201 UAH (~ 123,45 EUR); 5. Trade – 1227 UAH (~ 126.12 EUR); 6. Hotels and restaurants – 1150 UAH (~ 118,20 EUR); 7. Overland transportation – 3395 UAH (~ 348,96 EUR): 8. Telecommunication – 2108 UAH (~ 216,67 EUR): 9. Financing activity – 3072 UAH (~ 315,76 EUR); 10. State administration – 2067 UAH (~ 212,46 EUR); 11. Education – 1451 UAH (~ 149,14 EUR); 12. Health care – 1145 UAH (~ 142,36 EUR); 13. Social and private services – 1344 UAH (~ 138,14 EUR).

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COUNTRY FACT SHEET Transportation and automobile service, constructions and services are the spheres with most available jobs. It should be noted that there are major differences between the economic level of urban areas (especially Kyiv) and rural areas, affecting the availability of jobs as well as salary levels.

Working conditions According to the legislation of Ukraine, employers are obliged to provide safe and harmless working conditions. Employers should apply modern safety measures, which prevent manufacturing traumatism and provide relevant hygiene and sanitary conditions to avert occupational diseases. An employer has no right to demand from an employee the execution of work if it may harm his or her life or health. Employers are obliged to conduct systematic briefings on safety at work. In case of not following the rules employers will account administrative/criminal responsibility.

However, in practice, and not least related to the existence of an informal economy, insufficient working conditions are common. That is in particular in terms of salary and safety aspects.

2. Employment Service The government agency with responsibility for placement service is the State Employment Service (SES). Registration in SES is not obligatory, but if a person would like to receive unemployment assistance he or she has to register. SES searches for jobs to every registered person according to his or her qualification.

During January-June 2010, 345,200 unemployed citizens, who were registered in the SES, made use of its service. Over 79,700 employers submitted to the SES info on vacancies.

Within the first half of 2010, over 383 900 citizens found job through the SES. The SES manages website www.trud.gov.ua that can be used as one of the tools for finding a job 3. Unemployment Assistance Employees and other insured persons (for example, entrepreneurs) who were recognized as out of work and who during 12 months, preliminary to the beginning of unemployment, worked not less than 26 calendar weeks and paid contributions to the pension fund, have the right to receive State unemployment assistance. Such assistance pays from the 8th day after registration of insured person with State Employment Service. Support cannot be granted more than 360 calendar days during 2 years, and 720 calendar days for persons prior to 2 years to retirement age.

Registration is done in a State employment centre according to the place of residence.

The following document should be handed: • passport; • work-book; • military ticket (if necessary); • documents proving education (if necessary).

If a person does not have a work-book the following documents should be handed: • passport; • diploma; • military ticket (if necessary).

A person can be requested to provide other documents: • professional appropriateness certificate (in case if person lost the job because of accident or occupational disease); 15

COUNTRY FACT SHEET • moving out certificate (if a person was discharged because of moving out from radioactive contaminated territory); • pension certificate (for persons who are granted different kind of pensions).

Amount of support defines in percentage to an average wage of unemployed person and depends on insurance length of service: • up to 2 years – 50%; • from 2 years to 6 years – 55%; • from 6 to 10 years – 60%; • more than 10 year – 70%.

And also amount of support depends on period of unemployment and calculates in percentage to the defined amount: • during 90 calendar days – 100%; • during next 90 calendar days – 80%; • further – 70%15.

Unemployed persons can be provided with public works, which do not require specific qualification and are conducted on contractual basis. Public works target the following groups of persons: • unemployed persons and youths; • persons undergoing re-education; • persons of pre-pension age (1,5 year before retirement), pensioners and disabled persons.

People who were not insured (did not pay contributions to the pension fund) are not eligible for State unemployment assistance.

4. Further Education Possibilities and Vocational Training Vocational training (free of charge) is organized by State Employment Service for professional development of unemployed persons.

VIII. EDUCATION 1. Educational System and Infrastructure Literacy is almost universal in Ukraine, and education is compulsory between the age of 6 and 18 (completion of general secondary education is compulsory). The state ensures accessible and free pre-school, complete general secondary, vocational and higher education in state and communal educational establishments. Citizens have the right to obtain free higher education in state and communal educational establishments on a competitive basis.

A completed secondary education lasts for 12 years and consists of: • primary school – 4 years of studying; • junior school – 5 years of studying; • high school – 3 years of studying.

The following documents should be submitted for enrollment: • personal application; • medical certificate; • documents about education (exception for first year pupils).

For higher education, the following alternatives exist: 16

COUNTRY FACT SHEET • • •

bachelor degree – 4 years of studies; specialist degree – 4 years plus 1 year; master degree – 4 years plus 1,5 year.

The following documents should be submitted for enrollment: • passport; • medical certificate of determined form (086 – Y); • personal application to rector’s name; • 6 photos (3x4 cm); • high school certificate.

The most popular universities/institutions/academies in Ukraine are the following: • University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy” (www.ukma.kiev.ua/eng_site/index/php ); • National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv (www.univ.kiev.ua/eng/ ); • National Technical University of Ukraine “KPI” (www.ntu-kpi.kiev.ua/en/ ); • National Aviation University (www.nau.edu.ua/en/Main/ ); • O.O. Bogomolets National Medical University (www.nmu.edu.ua/eng/index.html ); • Odesa National Academy of Law; • Lviv National University of Ivan Franko; • National Law Academy of Yaroslav Mudryy.

2. Conditions for the Continuation of Education Returnees can access primary and secondary schools, or universities (including the case when they already attended school abroad) according to existing regulations for other Ukrainian citizens. Returning pupils and students apply to schools and universities on the same basis, and according to the same procedures, as other pupils and students of Ukrainian nationality.

All citizens of Ukraine have the right to a full secondary education free of charge at State and communal educational institutions, irrespective of race, ethnic or social origin, political or religious convictions, sexual orientation, property conditions, place of residence, language or any other individual characteristics.

Admission to Secondary School is decided on the basis of competition, regardless of whether the school is State or privately run. Admission to a secondary school is controlled by the school director. It is based on the application, on a prescribed medical certificate and on the relevant documents from a pupil’s previous school (except for first year pupils).

Admission does not depend on place of residence or nationality. Access to secondary education is guaranteed by law, so a free secondary education is always available, although there are also private schools.

There are special general educational institutions for children who need physical or mental treatment and general education institutions for children who need long term treatment.

3. Approval and Verification of Foreign Diplomas Ukraine has ratified the Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees Concerning Higher Education in the States Belonging to the European Region and the Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees Concerning Higher Education in the States Belonging to the Asia and Pacific Ocean Region.

The Highest Certifying Commission (http://www.vak.org.ua ) assesses foreign diplomas and makes preliminary decisions, whereas the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine approves the decisions, verifies diplomas, and issues a Certificate of recognition.

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COUNTRY FACT SHEET 4. Needed Documents for Returning Pupils / Students Returning pupils or students are required to provide the same documentation as mentioned above, i.e. pupils have to provide a personal application, medical certificate and documents about education, and students applying to university have to provide passport, medical certificate of determined form (086-Y), personal application to the rector, 6 photos (3x4 cm) and high school certificate.

5. Costs and Stipends Costs and prices of education • Pre-school – public pre-school education is provided free of charge. There are also private establishments with tuition fees.

• Complete general secondary - public secondary schools are free of charge. There are also private establishments with tuition fees.

• Vocational/Higher – can be provided on dual levels: free of charge and contractual.

Free of charge education is provided to those entrants who applied for free of charge studying, won the highest pass mark according to the relevant certificates (as of 2008 university entrants pass only foreign language exam).

Below are indicated prices on one year study on contractual basis in 2009-2010 years in some Universities: • Uman’ State Pedagogical University named after P. Tychyny (www.udpu.org.ua): 3400 – 7100 UAH (~350 – 730 EUR); • Mykolaiv State Agrarian University (www.mdau.mk.ua): 2200 – 5700UAH (~226 – 586 UER); • Lugansk National University named after T. Shevchenko (www.lugniv.edu.ua): 3900 – 11100 UAH (~400 – 1140 EUR); • Kyiv National Technical University (KPI) (http://kpi.ua): Minimum 13000 UAH (~1336 EUR) – full time, 7800 UAH (~802 EUR) – distant; • Kyiv National Economical University, (www.kneu.kiev.ua): 12300 UAH (~1265 EUR) – full time, 5000 UAH (~514 EUR) – distant, • Kyiv National University named after T. Shevchenko www.univ.kiev.ua): 5410 UAH (~556EUR) – full time, 4060 UAH (~417 EUR) - distant, Geological Faculty; 22800 UAH (~2345EUR) – full time, 15200 UAH (~1562 EUR) – distant, Journalism; Stipends Since 1 September 2008 students attending higher education receive ordinary scholarship, if an average progress mark is between 4.00-4.99, an amount of the scholarship is 530 UAH (~55 EUR) and or an increased scholarship (an average progress mark is 5.00) - 590 UAH (~61EUR). However, in case students need a social safety net, and their average progress mark is lower that 4.00, a scholarship will be granted as well. The social scholarship for students who has neither father nor mother and mark is between 4.005.00 - an amount of the scholarship is 1160 UAH (~ 119 EUR) Study loans are not available.

IX. OBTAINING DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR RETURNEES Consular sections of Ukraine abroad issue Certificate for Returning to Ukraine to citizens of Ukraine in case of loss or damage of their travel documents during their stay abroad.

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COUNTRY FACT SHEET The certificate is valid for entry to Ukraine and for transit travel on the territory of other countries on the way to Ukraine.

Address and contact details of the Consular department of the Ukrainian Embassy in Tallinn EMBASSY OF UKRAINE IN TALLINN Lahe t. 6, 15170 Tallinn, Estonia tel. (372) 601 58 15 fax (372) 601 58 16 tel. (372) 601 58 35 (Consular and Visa Section) E-mail: embassyofukraine@gmail.com www.mfa.gov.ua/estonia Following documents should be submitted to the Embassy of Ukraine in Estonia to obtain a Return Certificate to return to Ukraine: • application for the Certificate of Return to Ukraine (annex) (most cases filled in at the Embassy; • certificate from police, that the travel document was lost; • 2 photos 3,5 x 4,5 cm; • documents that prove connection of the person to Ukrainian citizenship (national passport etc.).

The cost of the Ukraine’s Return Certificate is $30.

Please note that the Return Certificate is issued only after the authorities in Ukraine have confirmed the identity of the applicant as citizen of Ukraine.

The return certificate is valid 30 days from the date of issue.

X. REINTEGRATION ASSISTANCE 1. Reintegration Assistance Victims of trafficking International Organization is offering assistance to victims of trafficking returning to Ukraine. IOM Kyiv’s projects aim to develop effective and sustainable reintegration assistance programs for Ukrainian victims of trafficking. The IOM reintegration assistance package is designed to assure the victim’s dignified reintegration into society. Therefore, victims must give their informed consent before receiving support. IOM assists victims of trafficking upon their return to Ukraine, or upon referral from within Ukraine through NGOs or law enforcement agencies. Regular contact is maintained with victims in order to monitor their reintegration process through IOM’s NGO partners. The comprehensive assistance package, which is determined on a case-by case basis and administered in cooperation with IOM’s NGO network, includes: • medical care; • psychological counseling; • voluntary return to Ukraine (funded by IOM mission in country of destination); • airport reception upon return to Ukraine from the country of destination; • escort and travel assistance to final destination in Ukraine; • overnight accommodation while receiving medical care or while in transit home; • legal assistance with civil issues (divorce, retrieval of property, civil liability); • legal consultation and representation for victims serving as witnesses in criminal cases; • micro-enterprise grants; • housing and family allowance; 19

COUNTRY FACT SHEET • reintegration grants to support victims for the first three months after their return; • employment counselling and grants for vocational training; • other types of assistance as determined on a case-by-case basis.

All services available in the assistance package are voluntary and based on person’s decision to participate in the reintegration.

Other types of reintegration assistance The Ukrainian government does not provide any reintegration assistance specifically covering returning citizens of Ukraine. However, for example accommodation assistance to homeless people applies also to Ukrainian returnees (see chapter 5 on housing). In case person has returned with IOM’s assisted voluntary return programme which includes reintegration package (introduced and discussed already in the host country) one can benefit from assistance which would provide sustainable reintegration and opportunity to establish oneself after return to country of origin. In order to benefit from the IOM reintegration service the returnee should consult with IOM about his/her individual reintegration plan.

2. Financial and Administrative Support State employment service provides support to start private business. The support consists of a one-time payment (one year sum of granted allowance for unemployed person). To be granted this kind of support a person should be registered as unemployed, be legally aged (18 years old), and unable to find a relevant job because of its absence on the labour market. The following documents should be handed in: • application for this kind of support; • business plan.

The decision on granting the support is taken by the director of an Employment Service upon the conclusion of commission on one-time payment for starting private business.

Regional Employment centers conduct information seminars on orientation of unemployed persons.

3. Procedures to start Self-employment To start and register a private company, the following documents should be handed to district administration for registration of private business as natural person: • filled in registration card; • 2 photos (3x4 cm); • identification code (received from the Tax agency when receiving national passport); • receipt of payment for state registration (payment for procedure of registration of private business), which is 34 UAH (~ 0,39 EUR) in 2010; • passport.

All the documents should be filled in Ukrainian.

After registration a person is issued a notarially justified certificate of private entrepreneurship next day at the latest.

After registration within district administration a person has to apply to Pension fund within 3 days. The following documents should be handed: • application; • notarially justified certificate of private entrepreneurship; • identification code.

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COUNTRY FACT SHEET After registration with Pension fund a person is issued a certificate that should be taken to the Tax agency within 3 days together with following documents: • certificate from Pension fund; • application; • notarially justified certificate of private entrepreneurship; • passport, and copy of passport; • work-book; • 2 photos (3x4 cm); • cash-book (is purchased in tax agency, monthly record of your income).

If a person would like to have his or her private seal, he or she has to register himself within Ministry of Interior of Ukraine.

There are opportunities to access credit to start a business or buy a real estate. However, banks in most cases require substantial security for their credit. Theoretically, there are some possibilities to gain financial support from public institutions, but due to insufficient funding it is more an exception than a rule.

XI. VULNERABLE PERSONS 1. Assistance to Women and Mothers coming home alone There is no assistance available specifically for women and mothers returning home and not willing or not able to return to their families.

2. Disabled Persons All-Ukrainian centre for professional rehabilitation of disabled is within the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of Ukraine provides disabled persons with: • professional rehabilitation and working adaptation; • raising the level of skill; • professional retraining of disabled; • employment of disabled.

Professional retraining is conducted during 5 months. The following courses are offered: • computer operator; • secretary; • social worker; • embroiders; • tailor; • hair dresser; • machinist; • shoemaker; • beekeeper.

After finishing the retraining, disabled persons have to take a state exam and be issued a state certificate on working profession.

To be accepted to the centre a person has to be of working age, be disabled I-III group, be registered within agencies of social protection and, according to the conclusion of Medical social expert commission (MSEC), be in need of professional rehabilitation. Acceptance is conducted by Entrance examination.

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COUNTRY FACT SHEET The following documents should be handed: • personal application (objective, disablement group, place of residence, contact information, means of movement); • education documents; • medical certificate (form 086 – Y); • extract from personal out-patient card about the dynamics of disablement during last 2 years; • certificates from psychologist, expert in narcology, oncologist, proctologist (for disabled persons over 30 years old); • certificate from MSEC on disablement; • individual rehabilitation programme, issued by (MSEC); • copy of passport; • certificate from place of residence; • 2 photos (3x4 cm); • copy of identification code; • card on individual professional consultation of client, issued by local employment centre.

The following persons are not accepted to the centre: • persons suffering from acute chronic disease; • mentally disordered; • persons suffering from venereal disease; • persons suffering from epilepsy; • persons suffering from oncological disease of medium and hard stage; • persons with infectious diseases; • those persons who according to medical examination are not recommended to work.

Every rejected person can appeal the decision of Entrance examination during two days.

3. Persons with a Mental Disorder According to UN Resolution on “Protection of persons with mental disease and improvement of psychiatric help” from 1992, Ukraine is obliged to provide persons with mental disorder with medical and social support. In Ukraine a network of mental hospitals is provided, which are divided according the level of mental disorder. The upper level mental hospital is located in Kyiv city. Patients are provided with full board accommodation and medical treatment.

4. Education for disabled children All citizens of Ukraine independently of race, skin color, political, religious convictions, sex, ethnical and social origin, property conditions, place of residence, lingual and other characteristics are secured to obtain free of charge full secondary education at the state and communal educational institutions. There are special general education institutions for children who need physical or mental correction and general education institutions I-III levels with correspondent types for children who need long treatment.

XII. OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION 1. Military Service Defense of homeland, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine is a Constitutional obligation of citizens of Ukraine. Military obligation includes the following: • training of citizens to the military service; 22

COUNTRY FACT SHEET • • • • •

registration at the recruiting stations; acceptance in a voluntary way by contract or call to a military service; undergo the military service; fulfillment of military obligations in the reserve; adherence to the military registration rules.

Citizens of Ukraine of the male sex, fit by health, from 18 years to 25 years, who do not have the right to be released from the military service or be granted a delay, are called to the fixed military service at the peaceful times.

Terms of the fixed military service • Up to 12 months - soldiers, sailors and sergeants, who undergo the military service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military units • Up to 18 months - sailors and sergeants, who undergo the fixed military service at ships, vessels and at the coastal units of combat securing under Military-Naval Armed Forces of Ukraine and Naval Security of the State Border Service of Ukraine • Up to 9 months - persons, who were educated in Universities.

Alternative service Citizens of Ukraine, who are the members of the religious organizations, which are considered active according to the legislation of Ukraine, whose religious convictions do not accept to use weapon, have the right on the alternative service.

Citizens undergo the alternative service at the enterprises, establishments and organizations which are the State municipal properties, and activities of which are connected with a social protection of the population, health security, environment protection, constructions, agriculture and Red Cross organizations of Ukraine.

Term of alternative service is in one and half time longer than the terms of the military service.

2. Customs issues Baggage rules of customs control passing According to the provisions of the Law during the importation to the customs territory of Ukraine following goods in the accompanied baggage is free of taxation: o goods the total customs value of which does not exceed 200 EUR, and gross weight does not exceed 50 kg; o 1 liter of spirits, 2 liters of wine and 5 liters of beer, tobacco goods - 200 cigarettes or 200 grams of these products; o personal effects.

The following goods in the accompanied baggage are not free of taxation and are the subjects to obligatory written customs declaration by filling in a customs declaration form foreseen for citizens: o the total customs value does no’t exceed 200 EUR, but the total weight exceeds 50 kg (up to100 kg inclusive); o the total customs value exceeds 200 EUR (up to 1000 EUR inclusive), but the total weight does not exceed 50 kg; o the total customs value exceeds 200 EUR and the total weight exceeds 50 KG (up to 100 kg inclusive).

Under the customs registration with the standard customs receipt МД-1 the following taxation are counted: 23

COUNTRY FACT SHEET

o import custom dues in amount of 20 per cent of the customs value of goods; o taxation of value added; o excise duty

Currency values carrying rules of customs control passing.

While crossing the border persons have the right to take advantage of “green” corridor in following cases: o foreign currency and/or traveling and nominal cheques, cards Visa Travel Money to 10 000 EUR or equivalent of this sum in other foreign currency (except chinks from precious metals); o pay cards issued by the foreign banks (including international pay systems) and nonbank organizations.

If a cash amount exceeds 10 000 EUR, an individual has to declare the whole amount to the customs control in written form, and also has to have a bank document, which confirms debiting of an amount above 10 000 EUR. According to the article 339 of the Customs code of Ukraine sets responsibility for violation of customs control passing in the areas of the simplified customs control, if during customs control realization a person, which has chosen customs control passing through simplified area (without customs declaration), is found guilty of carrying goods, forbidden or limited to carrying through the customs border of Ukraine, goods in amounts which exceed the untaxed norm of carrying through the customs border of Ukraine, - results in imposition of fine in a size from fifty to one hundred untaxed minimums of profits of citizens or confiscation of these goods XIII. USEFUL LINKS Ukraine http://www.ukraine.org CIA World Factbook https://www.cia.gov US Department of State http://www.state.gov BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1102303.stm IRRICO http://irrico.belgium.iom.int/country-info/ukraine.html Government Portal http://www.kmu.gov.ua Aviation Association (airports) http://www.asavia.org/avia/airports Railway http://www.railwayukr.com http://www.uz.gov.ua State Statistics Committee http://ukrstat.gov.ua/ The Highest Certifying Commission http://www.vak.org.ua/ State Employment Service www.dcz.gov.ua www.trud.gov.ua IOPS Country Profiles – Ukraine, December 2009 http://www.iopsweb.org/dataoecd/53/10/45319940.pdf 24

COUNTRY FACT SHEET Social security and reforms in Ukraine www.ilo.org Embassy of Ukraine in Estonia www.mfa.gov.ua/estonia IOM Ukraine www.iom.org.ua

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COUNTRY FACT SHEET

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