Ukraine’s eastern rust belt was the pride of national industry in Soviet times, but has failed to modernize, and is especially hurting. One of Ukraine's leading steelworks. In the Soviet era, it was at the cutting edge of industry. Times have changed. Production is almost at a standstill and 7,000 workers have been laid off. At the factory gates, they gather to find work on the black market. Roman and Igor will take anything that's going. Roman Seleznyov, Unemployed Laborer, "Basically I'm looking for a job. Something to make some money, feed the family." Igor Polgeny, Unemployed Welder, "I'm well trained. I'm a spot welder. Round here it's impossible to find skilled work." The Donetsk region in the east of Ukraine has been hit hard by the economic crisis. It's an area built on steelworks, mining and slag-heaps. There's been little diversification just heavy industry. But that's a sector that's seen production fall by 35% in the last year. Volodymyr Logvynenko, Donbass Regional Governor, "Today there are 140,000 people who have been laid off, and another 160,000 who have had to go down to part-time. What's more, we predict that unemployment in this region will exceed 200,000." At the local job centre, there's little hope of finding work. Since the crisis started, the agency has been offering less than half its usual number of appointments. Anton is a young economics graduate. With good qualifications but little experience, he's now thinking about leaving the country. Anton Nagolyuk, Job Seeker, "There are some 'grey ways' to go to the US. I can still find something unqualified to work there. Immigrate to the US for at least a couple of years, until the situation here has stabilized" The mood is starting to turn angry. According to a recent survey, nearly half of all Ukrainians say they’re ready to take part in demonstrations against the economic situation.
Ukraine’s eastern rust belt was the pride of national industry in Soviet times, but has failed to m...
