Poland is witnessing an exodus of Ukrainian refugees from its workforce as they travel to Germany for higher wages and government benefits, according to a new report by EWL employment agency.
Image: EWL Migration Platform
The refugees are not economic migrants, but they are increasingly taking on work as Russia's war in Ukraine drags on.
Poland isn't their first choice anymore, according to Michalina Sielewicz, director of economic development for EWL, which carried out the research with the Centre for East European Studies at the University of Warsaw.
Where they choose to live will impact European labour markets, as many EU countries, including Poland, are desperate for workers while they face demographic declines due to low birthrates, and Poland is no exception.
"The current trend that we are looking at is actually the second wave of migration," Sielewicz told Radio Poland's Danuta Isler.
She added: "Now people are making educated decisions, so it's not really an emotional aspect that is driving them out of the country."
Click on the audio player above to listen.