Poland Loses 5% of Workforce to EU as Migrants Seek Better Jobs

More than 1.1 million Poles, or 5 percent of the country's labor force, left home during the past two years for better-paid jobs elsewhere in the European Union, a study by the European Citizen Action Service found.

Western employers say Poles are hardworking, motivated and happy to take positions turned down by locals even if they don't match their level of education, according to the report, which was published yesterday by the Brussels-based organization.

``I had searched for a job as a chemist in Poland and couldn't find one,'' Renata Gorska, 36, who works in the Vitamin-K laboratory at St. Thomas's Hospital in London, said by telephone. ``Now I have a good job where I my work is appreciated.''

Poland, with a population of 39 million, is the biggest of the 10 countries that joined the EU in 2004 and accounts for more than half of the combined population of the new member states. The country's unemployment rate, while still the highest in the EU, fell to a 5 1/2-year low of 15.7 percent in July, more because of emigration than the growing economy.

Poles, mainly between the ages of 25 and 34, are heading mostly to Germany and the U.K. The number of migrants is set to increase, with as many as half of Poles aged 18 to 24 planning to leave over the next two years, the daily Gazeta Wyborcza reported Sept. 4, citing a telephone survey of 500 people.

The U.K., Ireland, Sweden, Finland, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy have opened their labor markets to Poles and other citizens of the newest EU members. The Netherlands may do so this year, while Germany and Austria plan to maintain employment restrictions until 2011. Poles work in Germany with permits.

Wage Difference

Some countries have been proactive in recruiting Poles. Scotland, for example, has placed advertisements in Polish in places varying from small Highland towns to Poland's capital, Warsaw, in an aim to persuade people to move to the country.

Although living is more costly in British cities such as London and Edinburgh, Gorska said her salary in pounds allows her to afford more than the zloty she earnings in Poland.

On average, Polish salaries are about 20 percent of those in western Europe, according to EU statistics from Brussels.

``Due to the wage differential, migrants are inclined to take up even these jobs, which do not match their level of education, however still pay better than the original employment would do at home,'' European Citizen Action Service said in the report. The non-profit group provides advice on citizenship and rights.

Kilometer Line

At the same time, the U.K. is trying to adjust to the new influx of workers from eastern Europe, with Poles being the largest group, according to official U.K. government figures.

More than a quarter, or 171,000, of new national insurance numbers given to foreigners last year were issued to Poles, the Department for Work and Pensions reported in July.

The Polish consulate in London, where only six officers deal with problems of a 264,000 population of Poles who live in the U.K., is blocked, Gazeta Wyborcza reported today.

Poles needing a passport, visa or permission to marry have to stand in a kilometer-long line, according to Gazeta, which estimates the number of Poles in Britain at about 500,000 now.

Jakub Czaja, a 16-year-old student who wanted to come back to his school in Poland last Sunday, can't leave London after he lost his passport, Gazeta reported. The consulate said it may take a month to provide him with a copy, according to the daily.

Polish authorities plan to add two more consuls to help service increasing number of customers.

Source: By Marta Waldoch,