a territory inhabited nearly 100% by Poles.
Since 1989, Poland has been open to immigrates. The most immigrates came from Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia and Armenia. Fewer immigrates came from EU or East Europe.
This year the total number of migrants was something about 320.000 people. Do you think it is a huge number?
Immigrates in the past.
From 1945 until the late 1980s population movements to, and from
Poland were most controlled by the government. In 1980s people saw the revitalization of international migration.
Since 1989 regulation concerning international movements of people
have been modified, extended and made less arbitrary and the present laws are liberal and in accordance with major international conventions.
The opening up of borders and restoration of the free travel and the
free creation of the business and employment opportunities in Poland were of
main importance in the transformation of migration trends in the 1990s.
Why do migrants want to live in Poland?
In the last few years Poland became very popular among foreigners. I think it is a perfectly normal and beautiful country, with a rich tradition of culture, arts, music, and great cuisine.
Poland also has one of the fastest growing economies in Europe. Especially low labour costs and dynamic foreign trade exchange make Poland very competitive among other locations.
Poland's landscapes offer wild and pristine nature, from the alpine mountains and crystal-clear lakes to majestic high cliffs and sweeping sand beaches.
Also Polish universities offer lots of choices for students. Foreigners appreciate high-quality education, hundreds of years of tradition in research, the presence of outstanding scientists, a friendly and open society, and a comparatively low cost of living. Have you any other ideas why migrants want to live in our country?
What do immigrates do in Poland?
In my opinion to find a job in Poland is not easy... To obtain a working visa employer, ONE must send to potential employees "invitation to work", the official and certified in the form of local government employment. This is an invitation to a special law on seasonal work permits to legally work within 6 months.
Then, if the employer is satisfied it is possible he will design "work permit". Would you agree with me that TO find work in Poland is not easy?
Many immigrants don't search for a job ,they start their own business. For example Vietnamese in Poland work as bar owners, engaged in national marketing and textile trade, run dozens of stands and shops with various goods and restaurants with traditional food, hair salons and even a travel agency that organizes trips to their home country. I know that Vietnamese doctors, translators, lawyers and professionals exist as well.
I agree that it is hard to find a work as a foreigner in Poland, although many immigrants are very low-skilled workers which we already have enough. We should focus on attracting highly-skilled people while stopping un-educated masses.
ReplyDeleteI agree too, in Poland it's really hard for natural-born citizen and for people who emigrate it's harder. For example, in my company I prefer to have group of Polish people which can easy cooperate and have the same opinions in a lot of topics. They won't argue etc. On the other hand we can learn from them a lot of useful things, which aren't popular in our beautiful country :) ?Michał – I agree with you, if high-skilled scientists start to come to Poland in the matter of time we should become one of the most developed countries, but how we could entice them to stay here and work? We haven't got now enough to offer them. Let’s say blue laser is polish invention just like many other things that our great government considered as a trash. And now ? Geramany, USA gave money for development and are profiting greatly from polish ideas now. My brother who is one of the world’s brightest minds in cardiology is a patriot. But the best offer he received here was to lead a clinic in Zabrze for 8000zł a month. Now he lives in USA gaining over 400000 $ per year doing what he loves (scientific research and development of new medicines) and a lot companies try constantly to get him. That is how much ideas and capable people are important in normal countries.
ReplyDeleteI think that Poland is quite attractive for foreigners in the sense of education. We have really good universities offering many english-speaking or online classes. Education is still cheaper than in other developed European countries as well as cost of living.
ReplyDeletePoland is good only for tourists. They can spend time here cheaper and buy things cheaper. Living here is hard for citizens so if someone came here from other country to find a job it was weird idea. Everything is harder and more complicated than in any other country in Europe.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jarek, Poland isn't the easiest place to live in Europe. I spend few months in UK during my students exchange and I must say that living there was less stressful, I hate living in rush.
ReplyDeleteI think that times, when it was harder to get a job just because you were an immigrant have nearly passed. Currently, when we have two workers, having the same skills and knowledge, not always the native one is chosen, but it can be as well a foreigner. The biggest problem for them in Poland is, I guess, the language. Learning English and speaking it is way easier than Polish. However I do not agree that Poland is only good for tourists. Believe there is a great number of countries in the world, from where people would prefer to move here and work.
ReplyDeleteWell, I have to disagree with some of you. I don't find Poland as a country where it is "hard to live in", however I haven't really been anywhere on not-tourism basis.
ReplyDeleteAnd about the foreigners - if anyone would have to learn polish, mhm, well it would be hard as I can imagine. Besides of that - I could work with foreigners without a problem, especially as my profession requires me to communicate mainly in english. In fact, I have been working in company which has been running by German and we had to speak english with him (which was surprise for me at the interview - not that Germans doesn't speak english, I haven't just realized I had to speak with boss himself at the interview :)).