Citizens of Ukraine working in Poland would most likely settle in that country on a permanent basis. Many of them speak Polish well, have higher education and would like to work in their specialty. You can read about how the position of Ukrainians in the Polish labor market has changed in the latest EWL Group report on cross-border mobility.
Currently, more than 1.5 million Ukrainian citizens live in Poland, which is the largest group of foreigners. A study conducted in late December 2021 by the EWL Group and the Eastern European Study at the University of Warsaw found that Ukrainian citizens are increasingly willing to move to Poland for permanent residence, especially when they have the opportunity to work legally according to their qualifications. Another important factor is the opportunity to start your own business in Poland.
At the same time, more and more Ukrainian citizens who come to Poland for work have higher education and would like to work in their profession. As many as 60 percent of respondents said they had such an education, which is a significant change compared to 2019, when 28% had higher education.
– The profile of a cross-border worker, his aspirations and goals in professional and personal life are changing. Many more foreigners find jobs in administration, services or the IT industry. Many foreigners decide to stay in the country longer, plan to bring their families here, start their own business and pay taxes. Therefore, it is not surprising that they are looking for a job that matches their professional qualifications, and they are getting higher and higher, – said Michal Verzhkhovsky, Sales Director of EWL Group.
On the other hand, it is important for Polish employers that more and more Ukrainians speak Polish fluently. In 2019, only 18 percent of respondents were fluent in Polish, and at the end of 2021 this percentage increased to 46%.
Poland is the first choice
In addition, in the last few months, Poland has become a country where migrants from Ukraine would like to work and settle. As many as 53% indicated the first direction of migration. Respondents Germany was in second place with 50 percent of the vote, followed by Canada, which was noted by 43 percent of respondents.
The result of the report indicates a change that has occurred on the podium compared to the poll conducted in May 2021. At that time, Germany was at the top of this ranking, ahead of Poland by several percent.
Perceptions of Canada and the United Kingdom are also changing. Back in May last year, Ukrainian respondents considered the possibility of traveling to these countries only to a small extent. 23 percent were in favor of a trip to Canada for work, and only 14 percent to the UK. The latest survey shows that 43 percent of respondents would be happy to go to Canada and as many as 38 percent would choose the UK.
Competition for employees
However, the highest or highest position of Poland on the pedestal of the most popular directions of migration for the citizens of Ukraine will not be a permanent position.
– Competition for employees, which is not only in the local market but also abroad, is growing. Western European countries are increasingly open to workers across the eastern border, liberalizing migration legislation. Poland’s position as the country of first choice is extremely happy, but it is not given once and for all, – says Andrzej Korkus, CEO of EWL Group.
Moreover, despite the willingness to settle in Poland, Polish employers may be concerned that, according to the report, Ukrainian citizens are now much more likely to consider employment in other countries. In May 2021, 29 percent of respondents were looking for work not in Poland but in other countries. On the other hand, in a December report, 55 percent said they were ready to seek work outside Poland.
This was the sixth issue of a survey of foreign workers in Poland, which led to the creation of the Cross-Border Mobility Report. “Citizens of Ukraine in the Polish labor market.” It was attended by 600 people.