Museum and language awareness is not enough; Ukrainians must be integrated into the labor market. Interview with translator and researcher Viktoria Prituljak
This article discusses the challenges of integrating Ukrainian refugees into the Latvian labor market and highlights ongoing research on the subject.
The article focuses on an interview with Viktoria Prituljak, who is conducting research on how Latvia's language policy affects the integration of Ukrainian refugees. Under the guidance of Inga Druviete at the Latvian Language Institute, Prituljak's work explores the sociolinguistic aspects of this integration. During a recent conference at the Institute, she shared her findings, noting numerous challenges that Ukrainian refugees face in adapting to the Latvian language and culture, which are crucial for their successful integration into the labor market.
Prituljak emphasizes that integration goes beyond acquiring language skills and includes understanding local cultural dynamics and finding employment. She highlights that Latvian support systems for language training and labor market integration need to be enhanced to better assist Ukrainian refugees. Comparative data from Poland and insights from Lithuanian researchers indicate that Latvia is not alone in facing these integration challenges, suggesting a need for broader regional cooperation and shared strategies.
The implications of Prituljak's research could inform policymakers in Latvia and neighboring countries about more effective integration strategies for Ukrainian refugees. By addressing these challenges, there is an opportunity to improve the overall social and economic contributions of this community in Latvia, ultimately benefiting both refugees and the host society.