Poles working in France
The Polish and French governments will meet in Paris on November 22 to put together a special working party that will determine the precise means by which current restrictions should be changed or even abandoned.
The Ministry of Economy and Labor is anticipating total liquidation of the working restrictions for Poles, although a final decision has not yet been made. On October 4, when Presidents Jacques Chirac and Aleksander Kwaśniewski met in Paris, the French President initiated the idea of composing a specialized work group that would analyze the issue and would produce a satisfying solution for both parties.
Until recently, France was shouldered with high unemployment; thus, in order to assure job placements for its own citizens the government declared that it would put in place working restrictions of 5 to 7 years for all the prospective workers from the newly admitted EU states.
Now, however, the French are ready to modify the restrictions. The change in attitude towards Polish workers is unexpected, but not surprising. They have realized that after May 1 when Poland joined the EU, the number of Poles emigrating to the countries that had no restrictions was low. Only 30,000 Poles joined the workforce outside of Poland, which is a fairly insignificant number.
In addition this freedom in the job market could open the door to a new chapter of Polish-French relations, which for the past few years have been rather cold.
It has almost been decided that beginning in 2006 Poles with particular professions will be able to acquire jobs in France. Bakers, confectioners, butchers, construction workers, machinery operators, welders, fishermen, medical staff, car mechanics and drivers will be welcomed to work because of the huge demand for these trades in France. It is anticipated that restrictions for all other professions will eventually be removed as well.
So far only 805 Poles have been given work permits in France. In the near future this number should rise up as Polish-French relations warm up. A.L.
The Ministry of Economy and Labor is anticipating total liquidation of the working restrictions for Poles, although a final decision has not yet been made. On October 4, when Presidents Jacques Chirac and Aleksander Kwaśniewski met in Paris, the French President initiated the idea of composing a specialized work group that would analyze the issue and would produce a satisfying solution for both parties.
Until recently, France was shouldered with high unemployment; thus, in order to assure job placements for its own citizens the government declared that it would put in place working restrictions of 5 to 7 years for all the prospective workers from the newly admitted EU states.
Now, however, the French are ready to modify the restrictions. The change in attitude towards Polish workers is unexpected, but not surprising. They have realized that after May 1 when Poland joined the EU, the number of Poles emigrating to the countries that had no restrictions was low. Only 30,000 Poles joined the workforce outside of Poland, which is a fairly insignificant number.
In addition this freedom in the job market could open the door to a new chapter of Polish-French relations, which for the past few years have been rather cold.
It has almost been decided that beginning in 2006 Poles with particular professions will be able to acquire jobs in France. Bakers, confectioners, butchers, construction workers, machinery operators, welders, fishermen, medical staff, car mechanics and drivers will be welcomed to work because of the huge demand for these trades in France. It is anticipated that restrictions for all other professions will eventually be removed as well.
So far only 805 Poles have been given work permits in France. In the near future this number should rise up as Polish-French relations warm up. A.L.
