21:35 5 January 2026
Ukrainians working where Poles don’t want to
Foreign workers — especially Ukrainians — are mainly employed in sectors where Poles are no longer willing to work, such as simple services, hospitality, care, construction, and industry, said Pracodawcy RP expert Piotr Rogowiecki. He stressed that any changes to employment rules must be communicated clearly and well in advance. Ukrainians gained broad access to Poland’s labor market under the 2022 special law, but these provisions are now being gradually phased out, with benefits increasingly linked to employment and new rules taking effect in 2026.
Around 80% of Ukrainians in Poland are economically active — far more than in many EU countries — helping fill labor shortages. Data from Social Insurance Institution and Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego show that migrants now account for about 5% of Poland’s workforce and have made a measurable contribution to GDP growth.
