International Organization for Migration (IOM)

POLAND 8
maciej duszczyk 61
Abstract
The migratory status of Poland is evolving from an emigration state into an
emigration-immigration one. This means that the continuing labour migration
of Poles to other EU Member States is accompanied by inflow of immigrants
undertaking various forms of economic activity in Poland. This concerns in
particular the Ukrainians, who account for almost 50 per cent of all labour
migrants. Simultaneously it needs to be stressed that the share of foreigners in the
Polish labour market remains insignificant, but this situation is bound to change
in the forthcoming years, as the Polish labour market demonstrates an increasing
demand for foreign workers, which results from emigration of Poles and demographic
changes manifested in a reduction of the number of occupationally active people.
The changes in Poland’s status are not, however, accompanied by adequate
actions aimed at providing more comprehensive information to foreigners about
the possibilities of obtaining employment in Poland and at developing means of
facilitating the matching between immigrants and Polish employers. The Internet
portal managed by public employment services may be indicated as a positive
example of a mechanism addressed to foreigners. It contains information that
might prove useful for foreigners interested in undertaking employment in Poland.
Unfortunately this information is not available in the Ukrainian language, which
greatly restricts its accessibility and usefulness.
It may come as a surprise that employers’ organizations have not been interested so
far in establishing instruments that could provide information to employers about
how they can hire foreigners. Such organizations limit their activities to lobbying
for a greater opening of the Polish labour market to third-country nationals. Trade
8
61 Maciej Duszczyk is Deputy Directur of the Institute of Social Policy at Centre of Migration Research,
University of Warsaw.
country studIes – POLAND
127