‘Good Change’ and Migration Policy in Poland

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to discuss the determinants of the development of migration policy in Poland and the activities implemented so far in this field, to analyse the migration policies of selected European Union countries in terms of examining the similarities and differences in migration processes, and finally to indicate the possibility of using their experiences in the system of Polish migration policy that is being created. Design/Methodology/Approach: The main research methods include the desk research method, secondary data analysis as well as publications and expertise prepared in the field of migration policy, while comparative analysis constitutes a complementary research method. Findings: Poland has two options when it comes to regulating immigration. First, similarly to Germany, it may try to use mechanisms created within the European Union to attract qualified employees, including in particular the Blue Card and partnerships with third countries. Second, like in the Czech Republic, separate procedures for the influx of immigrants from specific countries can be created. Practical Implications: Poland should create mechanisms facilitating obtaining the status of long-term resident and ensuring the real socio-economic and political integration of immigrants. Originality/Value: The conducted research allowed for the identification of factors influencing the situation on migration policies in Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic.

One of the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine has been the mass escape of civilians from areas affected by military operations. For the sake of safety, health and life, over 2 million inhabitants of Ukraine decided to leave their current places of residence and look for shelter in the near and farther vicinity of Ukraine. The scale of the influx of refugees to Poland is determined both by geographic proximity and, inter alia, the presence of large groups of migrants from Ukraine in Poland, who support their compatriots in organizing the trip from Ukraine to Poland (or other countries) and help in finding themselves in new conditions. At the same time, however, the range of the influx of refugees from Ukraine is a huge challenge for government and local administration, social organizations and local communities, which undertake the provision of the required support and humanitarian aid. The dynamics of the phenomenon shows the need for systemic and, importantly, long-term operation of competent services and institutions, implemented both individually as a consequence of the state’s migration policy, and as a consequence of Poland’s membership in international organizations. In particular, attention should be paid to the activities implemented within the national legal order, resulting from the applicable regulations and consistent with the assumptions of the state’s migration policy. It should be stated that the rules in force turned out to be insufficient and required urgent modification and consideration of the range and dynamics of the influx of refugees to Poland. The aim of the chapter is to examine the determinants of Poland’s policy towards refugees from Ukraine, to explain the premises of Poland’s activity in this area, and to indicate legal solutions aimed at increasing the effectiveness of Polish support for refugees. Quantitative methods as well as microsystem analysis were used in the considerations.

The present study aims to analyze several aspects of economic migration from Ukraine to Poland in the context of the last 10 years (2007–2017). It looks at how changes in migration policy in Poland and the EU impacted the dynamics of migration to Poland, which has been for a long time one of the most popular destinations for Ukrainians. In 2014, an increased number of Ukrainians migrating to Russia was observed, although no similar increase was recorded for EU countries (excluding Poland). In 2014, Polish consular services issued over 556,500 visas to Ukrainian citizens. Since 15 September 2012, Ukrainians no longer have to pay for national visas if they intend to stay in Poland for 3 months to 1 year. Since July 2009, the Agreement on Local Border Traffic between Poland and Ukraine has been in force. Based on this agreement, Ukrainian nationals residing in the border zone – the area extending 30 km from the border – do not need visas, only local border traffic agreement has been increasing each year (13 to 40% depending on year). It amounted to 10,734,959 in 2015. My purpose is to present how migration law in Poland affects migratory waves.

Right-wing populism in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) uses welfare and migration policies to legitimize its illiberalism. This chapter examines welfare and immigration policies in Poland since 2005, when populists first came to power. The findings are based on 17 expert interviews and document analysis, and challenge the notion of a radical shift between liberal democracy and illiberal populism. In the welfare and immigration domains, illiberal populism is rather a reactionary intensification of prior ideological orientations. In line with the book’s focus on anti-gender and anti-migrant discourses, the chapter identifies bordering practices involved in illiberal populist welfare and migration policies. Deserving welfare subjects are those who can fulfil ‘nationalist familialist’ ideals establishing the heteropatriarchal family as the foundation of the nation. In the migration domain, illiberal populism distinguishes between desirable inflows from former Soviet countries (‘peripherally white’ migration) and unwanted non-white migrants. These insights are pertinent beyond CEE. They highlight how liberal market-oriented social policy lays the groundwork for populist self-positioning as welfare champions supporting the nation’s ‘real’ families. Additionally, the chapter shows that right-wing populism strategically opposes certain migrations while encouraging others.

This study examines the labour market integration of adult members of Ukrainian war-migrant households under temporary protection in Poland, using permanent full-time employment as the key indicator. Based on survey data and logistic regression modelling, it identifies which forms of public assistance and household characteristics are most strongly associated with this outcome. Job placement support, career counselling, and Polish language courses had a strong, positive effect on permanent full-time employment. In contrast, child-related monetary benefits significantly reduced the likelihood of such employment in large families. Households that were economically motivated to migrate, had pre-war work experience in Poland, and lacked alternative livelihood resources were more likely to have a member with a stable full-time job. By contrast, capital acquired in the country of origin – such as previous occupation – had no significant effect. Single-parent households with young children and those with elderly or disabled members were especially vulnerable in terms of labour market integration. Overall, the results suggest that early employment-oriented support, combined with recognition of household vulnerabilities, can foster integration. These findings may inform the design of migration and social policies in Poland and, with appropriate caution, in other EU countries hosting war-displaced populations under similar legal frameworks.

The article describes the theoretical basics, origins and present meaning of Polish migration policy, based on chosen migration statistics. It contains the characteristics of the views of the key experts in the field. It explains the meaning of migration policy and its impact on the so-cial security of the country. The article is based on the statistical data of the immigration of people from Ukraine to Poland in comparison with other countries in the years 2010–2018. The article also explains the meaning of the phenomenon of migration and its influence on the labour market.

This article presents the history and development of the (im) migration policy in the context of field research on the Arab Diaspora in Poland. Particular attention was paid to the issue how members of the Diaspora and examined Poles perceive the Polish migration policy in the aspect of the document titled "The Migration Policy of Poland - Current State and the Postulated Actions". Due to the fact that some of the comments and opinions of the respondents had a universal character applicable to all immigrants in Poland, not only to the explored community, this article presents specific innovative and practical solutions useful in forming a basis for migration policy.