The Polish Wave Returns to the UK

Tightening economic conditions of Britain and the weakening of the pound made Poland an attractive option to many Poles living in the UK, which meant that hundreds of them returned home. But as Poland also faces an economic slowdown, they struggle to find a decent job there, so decide to return to the UK.

 Dominik Piotrowski is one of many Poles, who returned to the UK after 3 months in Poland: “I left London and came back to Poland, attracted by prospectus of growing economy and rising wages” he says. “I found that there was no job for me there. I was offered a job for 2500zl per month (around £600). Companies are not so keen to employ returning emigrants, whose expectations are very high”.

Analysts say, that booming wages have meant that some workers are paid the same money in Warsaw as in London, but in other parts of Poland salaries are still comparatively low.

Economists and demographic experts warn that the wave of returning migrants could be destructive to Poland’s economy.

Poland could struggle to absorb the returning workers. According to official government figures, third-quarter growth this year is expected to fall from 5.8 per cent to 4.1 per cent.