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Description
The Silesian Voivodeship is one of the most popular regions for temporary residence of foreigners. According to Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) statistics, an estimated 210,000 -250,000 foreigners live in the voivodeship. Researchers believe however that in fact the number may be four times as high. The inflow of immigrants and the limited support available exacerbates the problem of integrating them. The major issues include not knowing Polish law and administrative procedure, and the language and cultural barrier. The negligible forms of free, public support make the situation for arrivals difficult on the Polish market. The project aims to improve the situation of foreigners in the Silesian Voivodeship and assist them in acclimatizing to the job market. To address the existing problems and needs, we will open Foreigner Support Centers (Ośrodek Wsparcia Cudzoziemców) in eight cities (Katowice, Gliwice, Zawiercie, Ruda Śl., Zabrze, Piekary Śl., Tarnowskie Góry, and Toszek). The Centers'' activities will include assistance provided by a lawyer, psychologist, advisor, and interpreter, who will guarantee help to legalize residence and improve the legal and labor situation. A free helpline will also be set up to provide immediate help. In the project, we will conduct training on workers'' rights for 120 foreigners. Training will also be given to 40 volunteers selected from foreign students, to assist participants in dealing with basic matters. We will also provide training for 32 self-advocates to conduct community activities to defend rights and interests of vulnerable persons. Support will be given to approximately 500 foreigners who reside in Poland for no more than three years and do not earn above the national median. The project will improve their situation due to greater financial and social independence and due to gaining skills enabling them to effectively negotiate the Polish job market.
Summary of project results
The project addresses the problem of social exclusion of migrants living in the Silesian Voivodeship. It is estimated that around 210,000-250,000 foreigners lived in the region before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. After the invasion, these numbers increased significantly. Unfortunately, the aid offer is quite limited and does not meet the needs of such a large community. There are barriers to integration and access to the labour market, such as, for example, lack of knowledge of the Polish law and administrative procedures, lack of language skills, lack of knowledge on how to obtain support, cultural differences. The majority of employers are interested in employing foreigners on a long-term basis, but more than 80% of them are discouraged by complicated procedures.
The grantee set up a Silesian Multicultural Center in 8 cities in the Silesian Voivodeship (Katowice, Gliwice, Zawiercie, Ruda Śląska, Zabrze, Piekary Śląskie, Tarnowskie Góry, Toszek). The Center offered migrants various types of support - legal, psychological, consultation and translation. A toll-free hotline was also set up to provide intervention assistance in difficult and urgent situations. The project provided 9 trainings on labour rights to 123 migrants and 40 volunteers. 34 persons with migration experience were trained on the rights of foreigners and the specifics of working with this group. Subsequently, these persons became involved in outreach and information activities for migrants, especially for those arriving in Poland after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
A total of 576 foreigners, mainly from Ukraine, benefited from the support. They received concrete, individual support in legalising their stay, adaptation, job search, translations, etc. They were also strengthened in the area of knowledge of their rights in the labour market, which had a major positive impact on their economic situation and well-being. Their self-confidence, self-esteem and sense of influence over their lives were raised. Dozens of people also developed their competences related to working with people with migration experience and became involved in activities for their own community.