In an interview with Poland's PAP news agency published on Sunday, Piotr Rogowiecki warned that any sudden changes to employment rules could disrupt the country’s economy.
Poland’s 2022 law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens granted refugees full access to the labor market, allowing them to work legally without permits or employer declarations.
Ukrainians who arrived after Russia’s full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022 are only required to apply for a personal identification number (PESEL), which legalises their stay and employment.
However, right-wing President Karol Nawrocki has recently warned he would not sign further legislation extending special forms of assistance to Ukrainians, arguing they should now be treated in the same way as other foreign nationals.
Rogowiecki cautioned that regulatory changes would require preparation not only by Ukrainians themselves, but also by Polish employers and public institutions.
He warned that a large-scale outflow of Ukrainian workers could undermine Poland’s economic and development potential.
“This is not ideology or politics—it is a matter of facts,” he stressed.
According to Rogowiecki, around 80 percent of Ukrainians in Poland are economically active, a figure that stands out in Europe. By comparison, labor market participation among Ukrainians is about 48 percent in the Czech Republic and just 25 percent in Germany.
Claims that Ukrainians in Poland are living off social benefits or abusing the welfare system are therefore false, Rogowiecki pointed out.
The expert also pushed back against the notion—sometimes heard in public debate—that Ukrainians are taking jobs from Polish workers.
“As societies grow wealthier, migrants naturally take over certain roles,” Rogowiecki argued.
“These are often basic service jobs, such as elderly care or hospitality business”, he noted, adding that “Poles did exactly the same when they moved to the UK or Germany”.
Looking ahead, Rogowiecki stressed that Poland’s migration policy should be guided by economic needs, with labor shortages clearly identified and continuously monitored.
(mo)
Source: PAP