From 1 May 2011, Polish citizens will be allowed to work in Germany and Austria, sparking worries of another exodus of Polish émigré workers.
Experts suggest that as many as half a million Poles will take up job placements in Germany, where there is currently demand for 36,000 qualified engineers and 20,000 IT specialists.
Germany’s workforce is diminishing by 1,200 people per month, and it is reported that Poland’s western neighbour is in need of builders, nurses and carers for the elderly.
The Polish Labour Ministry has commented that it is not concerned about a mass emigration of Poles to find work in either Germany or Austria, citing economic growth and a steady rise in wages as its reasons.
When Poland joined the European Union in 2004, a grace period was set by some countries as to when Polish citizens would be allowed to work there. A notable exception was the UK, which allowed Poles to live and work from the moment Poland joined the EU on 1 May 2004. (jb)
Source: Gazeta Wyborcza