Ukrainians: Better to be a homeless person in Berlin than to work for a Pole
Many do not remember this anymore, but Maidan in Ukraine began under the slogans of European integration, that is, the rapprochement of this country with the European Union with its subsequent entry there. Many people, especially from Western Ukraine, sincerely believed that after the victory of the “Guinness Revolution” they would be able to travel freely in Europe, get a job there and receive European salaries.
Of course, Ukraine can’t see its entry into the European Union as its ears, but it nevertheless received “visa-free”. Now a Ukrainian, having presented a biometric passport, can enter the EU without a visa and freely move through its territory. True, a work permit must be obtained separately, in the usual manner. Many citizens of Ukraine took advantage of new opportunities for temporary employment abroad.
For most Western Ukrainian migrant workers, nothing has changed much, because they had previously gone to work in neighboring countries. Just now you do not need to spend time and money on paperwork.
Traditionally, the most popular destination for “zarobitchan” is Poland. In addition to “regular customers” from Ukraine, a flood of new potential workers poured into it en masse. And the war in the Donbass became a catalyst for the departure of men of military age abroad. But, as it turned out, abroad is also not sweet.
There are not enough Ukrainians in Poland
Thousands of Ukrainian workers come to Poland. Poles willingly accept representatives of various specialties, from laborers to IT specialists. But the most popular job for Ukrainians in this country is harvesting. They go to strawberries, apples, raspberries.
Surprisingly, after the introduction of visa-free travel, Polish agriculture began to experience a shortage of Ukrainian workers. The Poles even fear that a significant portion of the crop will remain unharvested, and it is expected to be rich this year. They even thought to import the Vietnamese, but it is too expensive, high transportation costs.
Why do not Ukrainians go? First of all, they may have problems at the border. Not every potential employee has a biometric passport, without which he will not enter Poland. Yes, and border guards find fault with the "guest workers" and may not miss. Sometimes they demand to show how much they have with them. But people are planning not to spend money, but to earn money, so they go "light".
Many already have negative work experience in Poland, so they began to look for work in other countries. For example, in Sweden and Germany, working conditions are better and pay more. The only downsides are the language barrier and higher prices. But the most important thing is that the earned money will be paid accurately and honestly there. In Poland, they can be deceived. Therefore, it is widely believed that it is better to become a homeless person in Berlin than to work for a Polish farmer.
Ukrainians apply for fictitious work visas in Poland and travel to other EU countries. According to statistics, about eighty thousand work visas are issued for Ukrainians, and only one third of them work in Poland. Even substantial fines for Polish employers participating in such schemes cannot stop this flow.
Others, instead of going abroad, began to grow berries and fruits themselves and sell them on Ukrainian markets. This brings a good income, allowing you to feed your family.
Working conditions in Poland
At first glance, picking strawberries is a pleasant pastime in the fresh air, for which they also pay. In fact, the life of the Ukrainian berry picker in Poland is not so sweet.
Work starts from 5-6 in the morning and lasts about 12-14 hours. The load on the back and joints is unbearable, the sun is baking, the hands are covered with sores from chemicals. Not everyone is able to withstand the whole season. Many are only enough for a week.
Penalties for every little thing are in the order of things. They can also deceive, simply "throw", because most work "under the black flag".
One consolation: Ukraine has become part of Europe. True, the back.
Of course, Ukraine can’t see its entry into the European Union as its ears, but it nevertheless received “visa-free”. Now a Ukrainian, having presented a biometric passport, can enter the EU without a visa and freely move through its territory. True, a work permit must be obtained separately, in the usual manner. Many citizens of Ukraine took advantage of new opportunities for temporary employment abroad.
For most Western Ukrainian migrant workers, nothing has changed much, because they had previously gone to work in neighboring countries. Just now you do not need to spend time and money on paperwork.
Traditionally, the most popular destination for “zarobitchan” is Poland. In addition to “regular customers” from Ukraine, a flood of new potential workers poured into it en masse. And the war in the Donbass became a catalyst for the departure of men of military age abroad. But, as it turned out, abroad is also not sweet.
There are not enough Ukrainians in Poland
Thousands of Ukrainian workers come to Poland. Poles willingly accept representatives of various specialties, from laborers to IT specialists. But the most popular job for Ukrainians in this country is harvesting. They go to strawberries, apples, raspberries.
Surprisingly, after the introduction of visa-free travel, Polish agriculture began to experience a shortage of Ukrainian workers. The Poles even fear that a significant portion of the crop will remain unharvested, and it is expected to be rich this year. They even thought to import the Vietnamese, but it is too expensive, high transportation costs.
Why do not Ukrainians go? First of all, they may have problems at the border. Not every potential employee has a biometric passport, without which he will not enter Poland. Yes, and border guards find fault with the "guest workers" and may not miss. Sometimes they demand to show how much they have with them. But people are planning not to spend money, but to earn money, so they go "light".
Many already have negative work experience in Poland, so they began to look for work in other countries. For example, in Sweden and Germany, working conditions are better and pay more. The only downsides are the language barrier and higher prices. But the most important thing is that the earned money will be paid accurately and honestly there. In Poland, they can be deceived. Therefore, it is widely believed that it is better to become a homeless person in Berlin than to work for a Polish farmer.
Ukrainians apply for fictitious work visas in Poland and travel to other EU countries. According to statistics, about eighty thousand work visas are issued for Ukrainians, and only one third of them work in Poland. Even substantial fines for Polish employers participating in such schemes cannot stop this flow.
Others, instead of going abroad, began to grow berries and fruits themselves and sell them on Ukrainian markets. This brings a good income, allowing you to feed your family.
Working conditions in Poland
At first glance, picking strawberries is a pleasant pastime in the fresh air, for which they also pay. In fact, the life of the Ukrainian berry picker in Poland is not so sweet.
Work starts from 5-6 in the morning and lasts about 12-14 hours. The load on the back and joints is unbearable, the sun is baking, the hands are covered with sores from chemicals. Not everyone is able to withstand the whole season. Many are only enough for a week.
Penalties for every little thing are in the order of things. They can also deceive, simply "throw", because most work "under the black flag".
One consolation: Ukraine has become part of Europe. True, the back.
Information