The role of the Polish Worker in International Trade.
In May 2005 the European Union introduced 10 new Eastern European Counties including Poland, this did not mark a sea change in the habits of Polish Workers.
Poland with a population approaching 40 million made up approx 50% of the eligible workers able to be employed within the original European boundaries subject to rules laid down by individual countries, this provided Polish Worker with greater employment choice.
Polish people are naturally respectful and are more than willing to work as their social system does not allow anything more than a subsistence existence and therefore the motivation to work is always there.
Historically, the country of choice has been the USA with millions having emigrated there. However, numbers are controlled to skilled trades or for strictly limited periods under the Green Card system.
1999 saw the end on Communism, which lead to English replacing Russian as the second language, as time moves on language skills are improving this is not just helping Britain but other countries that use English as their second Language and sometimes in commerce as their prime language – Germany, Netherlands and Spain would be examples from within the old European Union. External examples are Scandinavian countries, especially Norway, plus Switzerland. Since 2005 unemployment in Poland has fallen from 18% to 11% principally by exporting labour and it is true to say that Polish workers are found everywhere.
The UK set the most liberal rules in 2005 and attracted the best workers as the exchange rate was favourable. Within months Polish workers had established a reputation for hard work, flexibility, productivity and efficiency, many filling basic jobs at minimum wages which British workers weren’t prepared to do being cushioned by our system of social hand outs. Our original business Acorn Recruitment was launched at this time. It was one of the first businesses to be recognised by the Gangmaster Licensing Authority.
We are now into the second wave of workers. The numbers are down sharply, the quality has dropped but by careful selection you are still able to plug skills shortages however this is no longer at the minimum wage as we are now in a global village for labour.
To reflect market developments and the ongoing requirement to plug skills shortages across the board we recently changed our name to Skills Provision Limited to recognise that we are dealing throughout the UK and across virtually all business sectors. Please visit SkillsProvision.co.uk where you can download tips on the management of Polish workers.
Many UK employers have been slow to recognise the changes and will struggle to find labour moving forward. If you want a no nonsense conversation on market conditions email me at skillsprovion@talktalk.net or give me a call on 07977131389 or visit our web site
SkillsProvision.co.uk
With an estimated 1 million Polish workers in the UK, Poles are an essential part of the UK working environment. The country would grind to a halt without them but they are economic migrants and they will follow where the money is best but it will not be an overnight adjustment so the UK will have choices, ignore the signs and live with the consequences or reward them properly for their contribution.
Christopher Slay
Director
Skills Provision Limited
www.skillsprovision.co.uk
07977131389
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