A working meeting between Oleksand Bekhter, General Director of the enterprise, and Denys Savenkov, leader of the veteran community, took place at Zaporizhcoke.
The focus of the meeting was on issues related to the support for demobilised employees, the development of veteran initiatives, and the further improvement of reintegration programmes to help veterans return to civilian life and work.
Metinvest Group and Zaporizhcoke systematically support employees who return from the army, facilitate their adaptation within teams, and create conditions for professional development after demobilisation. An important part of this work is a continuous dialogue with veterans and consideration of their needs, expectations, and suggestions.
Since the beginning of the full-scale war, 178 employees of Zaporizhcoke have joined military forces to defend Ukraine. Today, 119 employees of the enterprise continue to serve in the Defence Forces of Ukraine. To date, 16 veterans have returned to work at the plant, and another 12 defenders have joined the enterprise for the first time, starting a new stage of their professional development in the Zaporizhcoke team.
During the meeting, participants discussed current challenges faced by defenders after returning to civilian life, as well as prospects for the development of the veteran community within the enterprise.
"Today, our defenders continue to defend the country, while those who have returned to civilian life need our attention, support, and understanding. For us, it is important not only to thank veterans for their service, but also to provide all conditions necessary for their comfortable return to work, professional development, and active participation in the enterprise's life. Therefore, we support open dialogue and are ready to work together to develop solutions that will help our veterans feel valued and confident," said Oleksandr BEKHTER, the General Director of Zaporizhcoke.
The key topic of the meeting was support for veteran initiatives, including the creation of a dedicated space for veterans. The discussion was about possibility of organising a veteran hub that could become a place for communication, sharing experience, hosting various events, and psychological support.
Also, an initiative to create the memory space was brought up. This place could feature personal belongings and symbols connected to the employees' military experience.
Special attention was given to expanding support for veterans and their families, as well as exploring new forms of assistance that take into account the current needs of defenders.
The leader of the veteran community at Zaporizhcoke, Denys Savenkov, emphasised that regular communication with management helps ensure timely responses to veterans' needs and identify effective solutions.
"Such meetings are extremely important for veterans. They provide an opportunity to talk openly about the needs of people who have returned from the war, be heard, and participate in developing solutions that concern our future life and work. It is important that the enterprise management is ready to listen to veterans and support their initiatives," said Denys SAVENKOV.
The practice of holding such meetings will continue going forward. Regular dialogue helps obtain honest feedback from veterans, respond promptly to their needs, and jointly create an environment in which every defender feels respected, supported, and has opportunities for career growth.
