The Perception of Discrimination Among Ukrainian Workers in the Labour Markets of Selected Visegrad Group Countries

The data was used in an article analysing the experiences of Ukrainian economic migrants in the labour markets of Poland and the Czech Republic, focusing in particular on inequalities and perceived discrimination. Using structural equation modelling (SEM) on a sample of N=168 individuals, the study fills an important research gap concerning the subjective perceptions of workers in the V4 region. The results reveal a significant correlation: housing stability is positively correlated with the perception of discrimination. In particular, the longer migrants stay in the host country, the more acutely they feel the effects of unequal treatment. During the recruitment process, language barriers proved to be the most common cause of discrimination. Paradoxically, frequent experiences of discrimination during job interviews were associated with a generally lower perception of discrimination; this may be due to a psychological defence mechanism whereby individuals attribute rejection to external factors in order to maintain their self-esteem. The study found no statistically significant differences between Poland and the Czech Republic, suggesting that the social challenges in both countries are similar. The authors conclude that combating discrimination requires strategic human resource management based on inclusive leadership and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.