Ukrainian workers in Poland will soon be able to roam EU visa-free

The head of an organization that works with Ukrainian citizens who are legally working and living in Poland has stated that many Ukrainians might seek work outside of Poland after they'll be allowed to enter other EU countries without a visa-free relatively soon. “The Ukrainians in Poland earn only a little less than the Poles, [and therefore] keeping them in our country can increase wages,” said Monika Ołów. Some experts, concerned that elimination of the work visas for Ukrainians could damage the labor market in Poland, feel that the granting of residence permits should be more carefully based on labor market needs. President of the Association of Entrepreneurs and Employers Cezary Kaźmierczak told the Polish press, “Permanent residence cards should be issued according to the number of employees needed on the labor market, [which would also] facilitate the settlement of Ukrainians immigrants, is the solution that [we propose],” said Kaźmierczak. It is estimated that Poland is currently home to almost a million Ukrainians. An agreement reached between Poland and the EU recently, which would stipulate that work and student visas for Ukrainian – as well as Georgian – citizens coming to Poland has been approved by EU Member States. The agreement could take effect as early as January 1, 2017, according to reports. "Almost there. Visa suspension mechanism dispute over. Now the final stretch towards visa free travel for Ukraine and Georgia," said European Council President Donald Tusk.