In the Shadows. Ukrainian Domestic Workers in Poland

Publications

2 Nov 2023

Labour, Migration and Social Policies

Agnieszka Kulesa

Jan Bazyli Klakla

Marianna Zarychta

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Agnieszka Kulesa

Economist
Agnieszka Kulesa has been working at CASE since 2018. She specialises in the labour market, international labour migration, and migration policies within and outside the European Union.

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Author’s articles
Jan Bazyli Klakla

Specialist in Social Sciences
Dr. Jan Bazyli Klakla holds a PhD in law with a specialization in socio-legal studies from the Faculty of Law and Administration at the Jagiellonian University. He is a graduate of law, sociology and comparative civilization studies at the Jagiellonian University and postgraduate studies in international migration at the University of Warsaw. He completed research … <a href="https://case-research.eu/publications/in-the-shadows-ukrainian-domestic-workers-in-poland-2/">Continued</a>

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Author’s articles
Marianna Zarychta

Eastern Partnership Specialist
Marianna Zarychta graduated from sociology at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. She also studies Social Change Management at the Jagiellonian University. Marianna completed her internship at the Marshal’s Office of the Małopolskie Voivodeship in the team for European Union projects. She carried out research for the RMF Group in Krakow, and for the Institute of … <a href="https://case-research.eu/publications/in-the-shadows-ukrainian-domestic-workers-in-poland-2/">Continued</a>

Articles from this author:
- A review of sustainable leadership practices
  This Good Practice Review is a part of the “EmpowerHer: Female Leadership for Sustainable Development” project funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers. The project aims to promote and introduce good Nordic practices related to sustainable development and education for sustainable development in the Baltic countries.

We are pleased to present our report, “In the Shadows: Ukrainian Domestic Workers in Poland,” developed in collaboration with CARE International, an organization dedicated to fighting poverty and social inequality. The research focuses on a frequently overlooked topic – the domestic sector and excluded female emigrants working as domestic workers. We conducted our study in three significant Polish cities: Krakow, Warsaw, and Wroclaw.

Our report is the result of a comprehensive approach to the subject. We gathered information through various means. We conducted numerous interviews with domestic workers in the mentioned cities and carried out an online survey.. We also conversed with employers, non-governmental organizations’ representatives, and public administration officials.

As a result of our research, a full picture of the domestic sector in Poland emerged. It turns out that there is a lack of appropriate legal regulations and secure solutions. Many domestic workers in Poland operate illegally, often due to the inability to secure contracts with their employers. There is also a noticeable difference between individuals who arrived in Poland before the 2022 war and those who came after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It manifests in a more friendly and welcoming treatment of individuals who arrived after the invasion. People who were here earlier experienced much worse treatment.

Nevertheless, amidst these challenges, there is a chance for improvement of this situation. The Domestic Workers’ Union has been established, an initiative led by Ukrainian women. This union is open to all domestic workers, regardless of their background. They are actively working to improve their rights and legal regulations in the domestic sector.

We encourage you to read the full report, which contains detailed analyses and conclusions regarding the domestic sector in Poland. Its examination will help you understand the challenges that domestic workers face and the changes needed to improve their situation. This report reveals the domestic sector as it is and as it should be in the future.

Client: Foundation CARE International in Poland (“CARE”)

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Labour, Migration and Social Policies

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In the Shadows. Ukrainian Domestic Workers in Poland

Agnieszka Kulesa

Articles from this author:

Jan Bazyli Klakla

Articles from this author:

Marianna Zarychta

Articles from this author:

Related publications

Immigration and the Labour Market in Poland

Tourism and rural development

Rural areas and the geography of discontent

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