Shadow Employment in Poland

At the end of December, a team of CASE social policy experts concluded a project which studied the phenomenon of unregistered workers in Poland. The team, led by Mateusz Walewski (pictured left), estimates that 9.3% of all jobs in Poland are held by unregistered workers, with the majority in rural areas. Lack of alternative job opportunities for unskilled workers was found to be the driving force behind shadow employment. At the same time, the studies indicate strong preferences and a positive attitude towards shadow employment among the general  population. In order to reduce the size of shadow employment in the long term, the team recommends decreasing non-wage labour costs, increasing the severity and likelihood of punishment and strengthening the levels trust in public institutions and the rule of law. The project was funded by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, and its detailed results will be presented at the Ministry’s conference in the spring. See the project page at: Poland’s shadow employment: its size, characteristics and social consequences.