Kim spoke about the labour shortage in the Mykolaiv region: «Three excavators — one excavator operator»
- News of Mykolaiv
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- Svitlana Ivanchenko
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18:05, 30 April, 2026
Vitaliy Kim. Archive photo: NikVestiMykolaiv Oblast is experiencing a severe shortage of staff in almost all sectors: from healthcare and education to social services and emergency services. One of the main reasons is the exhaustion of people due to the war and constant pressure.
This was reported by Vitalii Kim, head of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration, on the «Yedyni Novyny» programme, according to NikVesti.
According to him, the staff shortage in the region stands at 30–40%. The problem is particularly acute in education, healthcare and the social sector.
«To put it simply, we’re carrying out work with three excavators and one excavator operator. The shortage in education and healthcare is no less than 30–40%. In addition, the average age is a significant factor — it is high. Many elderly people are working because they cannot leave their jobs; they take the situation seriously and work in extreme conditions,» he noted.
According to the regional governor, the heavy workload and constant shelling are leading to professional burnout among social workers.
«We have spoken with both international partners and psychologists currently working in schools and nurseries. One of the main problems is burnout caused by responsibility for children, responsibilities at work, and constant shelling. That is why there is a staff shortage in the social sector — healthcare, education, and the Ministry of Emergency Situations — of around 30–40% across the board. “We have a staff shortage due to burnout,» explained Vitalii Kim.
He is convinced that the problem can only be overcome through a state programme to support frontline regions.
«Financial instruments, provision of housing under contract, incentive payments, pay rises for current staff, or better still — compensation for the past four years, to ensure fairness. This must be a state programme to support frontline areas. Our circumstances are slightly different, and the usual approaches simply don’t work here. What people are saying is: ‘Let us rest and pay us our wages.’ These are basic things we must take into account,» he emphasised.
The head of the Regional State Administration also advocates for higher wages in frontline communities and the introduction of special status for workers who work under shelling every day.
«I am in favour of introducing a status similar to that of combatants for certain professions that face risks equal to or greater than those of the defence forces. For example, the State Emergency Service and our doctors — they are the first to arrive at the scene of shelling and evacuate people. In frontline areas, where this happens several times a day, special benefits and statuses need to be introduced for people working in such conditions,» says Vitalii Kim.
In addition, the authorities are considering the possibility of attracting specialists through housing programmes.
«That is why we are currently working on options for compensation, purchase, and the provision of housing under a five-year contract,» he added.
Earlier, Vitalii Kim stated that there is a shortage of medical staff in the Mykolaiv region; at present, the region is unable to attract even young doctors.