Польская миграционная политика: формирование парадигмы (1989–2019)

Abstract

The article analyzes the development of Poland’s migration policy from the late 1980s until the present time. The transformation of this policy took place in direct proportion to socio-economic and political changes in the country. The first period was related to the beginning of a systemic transformation in Poland and understanding of the need for conceptual approaches to the problem of migration. During these years, the priorities of the migration policy were to ensure the country’s security, as well as to facilitate the access of Poles to the international labor market. The next stage was characterized by preparations for Poland’s accession to the EU. At this time, there was a gradual “Europeanization” of Polish law into which EU directives were implemented. Meanwhile, preliminary work began on the development of basic principles of the Poland’s migration policy. In the third stage, these basic principles were harmonized with European legislation, with priority given to solving national problems, especially in the economy which began to experience a shortage of labor. A number of EU directives concerning labor migrants were implemented in Polish legislation. There was also some liberalization of the access to the Polish labor market for foreigners from third countries – the citizens of six post-Soviet states: Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia and Georgia. During this period, there were changes in the policy of repatriation of ethnic Poles living outside the country. The fourth period includes ongoing changes related to the response to domestic challenges. The further evolution of the Poland’s migration policy and its format are largely determined by such factors as intensification of a negative demographic trend, the direct result of which is an acute shortage of labor and, therefore, high demand for foreign labor, that is growth in labor migration. The answer to these challenges is the development of a new migration strategy.