🛠️ Over 1.5 million Ukrainians are currently working in Poland, significantly impacting the Polish economy. The majority of them, both pre-war migrants and refugees, support themselves through employment. According to a survey by the National Bank of Poland- Narodowy Bank Polski (NBP) from November 2024, for pre-war migrants, wages account for 90% of their income, while for war refugees, it is 78%. In addition to employment, social benefits and support from their families in Ukraine supplement their income. The Polish Economic Institute (Polski Instytut Ekonomiczny -PIE) reports that 65% of war refugees in Poland are employed, which is the highest rate among OECD countries.
📌 Challenges in the Polish Labor Market
While Ukrainians make up a significant portion of the labor force in Poland, they face several challenges. Most war refugees are women, half of whom arrived with children. Finding part-time work that allows them to balance their responsibilities as caregivers is a major issue. Additionally, Ukrainian women often face discrimination during recruitment, with their chances of receiving a response being 25-30% lower than those of Polish women. Other challenges include language barriers, difficulties in recognizing diplomas, and limited access to positions that match their qualifications.
💪Ukrainian Workforce Strengthens the Polish Economy
The growing workforce of Ukrainians in Poland is benefiting the Polish economy. The Refugee Employment Initiative program, led by NESsT, highlights the importance of supporting migrants in the labor market. As part of this program, €900,000 was invested in creating jobs for Ukrainian refugees, resulting in the creation of 876 new jobs. The businesses that benefited from the investment operate in various industries, from hospitality to IT.
Although employment among migrants in Poland is high, better conditions are still required, such as language courses and flexible working hours. Grzegorz Wach from NESsT emphasizes that providing the right conditions for migrant workers is key to their integration and fully utilizing their potential in the economy.
Source: Sebastian Tałach "Ukraińcy w Polsce pracują. Z tym się zmagają" - Biznes w INTERIA.PL
