Migration of the workforce - a challenge for trade unions

Oslo, 10 Nov. 2006

Present economic migration is the greatest in its volume in the history of Poland.

Enlargement of the EU in May 2004 in the first period induced a “gold rush” effect, as many migrans believed they would find well-paid jobs instantly.

“They went to places where they believed the streets were paved with gold. On the spot it turned out that the streets were not paved at all and that it was the

migrants job to pave them.”

Officially, 700 thousand Poles migrated to west European states looking for better paid jobs – this number may be bigger.

However – this number also includes people, who had earlier stayed and worked abroad but did not register as their employment was illegal.

Actually, nobody is able to give a precise number of migrants and approximated time of their absence in Poland. Some media are quite hysteric stating that it’s 2 million Poles that already left, but this is strongly exagerrated.

Since 2004 the unemployment in Poland fell by 3% (to 15.3% in August 2006) and it is more or less confirmation of the ca. 700 thousand.

A general profile of a migrant - young (before 30 y.o.), skilled worker or a graduate, with modest command of foreign language. Few of them really intend to stay for long.

Ireland, Sweden and the Great Britain + all the New 10 opened their labour markets instantly.

In 2006 Finland, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy joined the group.

The rest decided to maintain transition periods (with small exceptions).

This wave of migrants differs significantly from any previous movements - the new social structure and economic demands made the migrants fill the gaps on the labour markets of the advanced countries - very few of them are a social burden of any kind - though small groups of „outcasts” are visible.

The migrant workers have clearly added to economic growth of the „daring” three countries, and no independent research confirmed the thesis that the newcomers would take the jobs of the nationals or cause general reduction of wages.

Main sectors of interest

construction agriculture transport health care gastronomy and hotels trade food processing

Filling the gaps in labour markets abroad made the gaps widen in Poland - it will take some time to educate and train workers to fill the domestic needs.

Classic brain drain phenomenon, e.g. in construction, nursing, shipbuilding.

Various forms of employment abroad

„freelance” workers employed through international work agencies

employed on the basis of export of services

Abuse of migrant workers

Italy - agriculture - regular labour camps

Spain - agriculture - non-payment of wages

France - EDF plant - unequal treatment

Sweden - Vaxholm case - unequal treatment

Abuse of migrant workers (cont.)

lower than minimum wages paid withholding of passports instant deductions of higher than agreed costs of living from the wages

lower than minimum safety and health conditions of work

What keeps migrant workers from joining a union?

They see TU’s as protectors of only They see TU’s as protectors of only indigenous workers.indigenous workers.

Low wages - joining a union creates Low wages - joining a union creates additional costs due to union fees.additional costs due to union fees.

Those who would like to join a union - Those who would like to join a union - scared by rumours or fears to be fired, scared by rumours or fears to be fired, are afraid to join.are afraid to join.

Language barriers & difficulties to Language barriers & difficulties to communicate with co-workers.communicate with co-workers.

What keeps migrant workers from joining a union? (cont.)

Insufficient knowledge of their rights Insufficient knowledge of their rights and way the unions function in specific and way the unions function in specific countries.countries.

No trade union has ever approached and No trade union has ever approached and tried to organise them.tried to organise them.

Working in international groups (many Working in international groups (many nations) makes it difficult to get the nations) makes it difficult to get the right view on the reality.right view on the reality.

They were trade union members, and they They were trade union members, and they see no use to become one.see no use to become one.

What measures are urgently needed to cope with the problem?

Disseminating reliable information on local rights and minimum working conditions in languages of the newcomers.

Awareness raising campaigns among the indigenious workers in order to create friendly working environment based on understanding.

Reach-out and organising campaigns for the migrant workers.

What measures are urgently needed to cope with the problem? (cont.)

Effective international co-operation and exchange of experience among trade unions both in host countries and countries of origin.

Inter-governmental co-operation and exchange of information

Provision of reliable information on the labour market and working conditions of the host country through information channels in the country of origin.

Strategies that proved effective

GMB union (UK) employed 2 full-time officers (1 Polish & 1 Lithuanian), to look after migrant workers.

USDAW (UK-Ireland) printed a “do you feel isolated“ pamphlet in Polish & other languages, which is in effect a simplified version of a TUC pamphlet.

3-month work of a “Solidarnosc” union organiser in the UK in order to collect information and work out a startegy

Strategies that proved effective(cont.)

SIPTU (Ireland) employed 2 full-time Polish organisers to include migrants from Poland in the unions.

Byggnads(Sweden) produced a brochure for migrant workers

Fellesforbund (Norway) produced materials for migrant workers from Poland and also occassionally organises meetings with Polish workers (translated)

The future promisses no relief

Further enlargement of the EU (Bulgaria & Romania) may only make the situation more complex and difficult

There will be constant fluctuation of the migrant workforce - a worker once organised should be followed by trade unions in his/her new jobs

Countries of origin should prepare themselves to become host countries eventually, as their internal labour needs and pressure from the Eastern coutries will require effective actions

Trade unions - the best and most effective tool for safeguarding decent working and living conditions for all - regardless of their origin