The Pandemic of COVID-19 as the Challenge to Ukrainian Migrant Workers in Poland

Abstract

In the article, the authors analyze the impact of the COVID-19 world pandemic on the employment of Ukrainian migrant workers in Poland. It is noted that the economic situation and the war in the east of Ukraine led to continuous process of labor migration from Ukraine to Poland. The author analyzes basic documents of the migration policy of Ukraine as well as Polish legislation in the field of employment of foreign citizens. It was found that the introduction of quarantine restrictions resulted in mass return of Ukrainian workers from Poland. Special attention is placed on the adoption of the so-called Anti-Crisis Shield and Anti-Crisis Shield 2.0, aimed at mitigating the negative economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland, taking into account interests of foreign workers, including Ukrainian labor migrants, who stayed abroad after quarantine restrictions come into force. Based on sociological research and official statistics, it has been determined that one third of Ukrainian migrant workers in Poland have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and some of them complain about income restrictions and reductions. It has been outlined an attitude of Ukrainian migrant workers who left Poland towards their return to work, perception of quarantine restrictions and the main reasons that force them to stay in Ukraine or return to the neighboring country. It is pointed out the volume of private money transfers to Ukraine for the same period in 2019 and 2020 respectively. The author draws conclusions that the COVID-19 world pandemic greatly affected the Ukrainian labor migrants in Poland, forcing them to leave their jobs and return home or stay abroad without actual source of income. It is mentioned that Poland still needs Ukrainian workers, who are especially in demand in the food industry, logistics, woodworking and household appliances.