The third year of the war radically changed the lives of millions of Ukrainians, forcing them to leave their homes and seek safety abroad. Poland became one of the main countries that accepted the largest number of Ukrainian refugees. However, the issue of adaptation, employment and social support for Ukrainians remains relevant. At the same time, more and more Ukrainians face difficulties in finding work, while some refugees do not work, choosing to live on social assistance. In these conditions, Poland began to rethink its policy of support for immigrants, which caused discussions at the state level.
Initiative on changes in benefits
The mayor of Warsaw, Rafal Tszaskowski, who is also a presidential candidate from the “Civic Coalition” party, made a proposal to deprive those Ukrainian refugees who do not work and do not pay taxes in Poland of social benefits. In his messages on the X social network, he said that Poland should avoid the mistakes of Western countries such as Germany or Sweden, where social support often becomes an incentive to come only for benefits. In his opinion, the priority should be to ensure the economic contribution of migrants who receive support.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk supported this initiative and announced that the government will consider Tszaskowski’s proposal.
“Only those migrants who actually live, work and pay taxes in Poland should receive payments. I support this idea”, – said Tusk.
Context and motivations for changes
At the beginning of the war, Poland became one of the first countries to open its borders to Ukrainians, providing them with housing, social benefits, and access to medicine and education. However, in the third year of the war, the financial burden on the Polish economy, as well as the growth of populist sentiments among voters, began to affect the attitude towards Ukrainian refugees.
Tshaskovsky’s proposal has both economic and political implications. On the one hand, the authorities seek to reduce spending on social programs, which are already drawing criticism from a section of Polish society. On the other hand, it could become an important element of an election campaign aimed at an electorate that supports stricter control over migration.
Challenges for Ukrainians
Such an initiative can significantly complicate the life of Ukrainians who do not have a job in Poland. On the labor market, they face numerous barriers: language barrier, competition, lack of qualifications recognized by employers. In addition, some refugees, especially women with small children or the elderly, are physically unable to work.
However, Poland has already proposed mechanisms to support those who are ready to return to Ukraine. For example, some programs provide for the employment of migrants in the event of their return to the Motherland. This can be an incentive for those looking for stability and opportunities closer to home.
Prospects for Ukrainians and Poland
Ukrainians in Poland will have to adapt to new conditions, as the policy of social support is changing. On the one hand, it puts pressure on those who are not working, forcing them to look for work or other forms of self-support. On the other hand, such a policy can stimulate Ukrainians to integrate more actively into Polish society and economy.
However, it is important that the governments of both countries work together to create conditions that will allow refugees to more easily find work, receive additional education or retraining. Without support in this direction, Poland’s initiative can only exacerbate the social problems faced by Ukrainians abroad.
This situation emphasizes that the issue of migration and social support remains extremely complex and requires a balanced approach from both sides. Ukraine and its citizens living abroad will have to adapt to new realities, while at the same time looking for ways to maintain a connection with the Motherland and overcome the challenges faced by them in the conditions of war.
