Polish government assesses the role of Ukrainians in the labor market

Certain sectors of the Polish economy already depend on Ukrainian citizens filling labor shortages. This was stated by Maciej Duszczyk, Deputy Head of Poland's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration, in an interview with Polsat News.

According to the government official, Ukrainians work in bakeries, discount stores, construction, and public transport. Their absence would quickly affect the availability of familiar services.

As an example, Duszczyk cited public transport operations: without Ukrainian workers, in some cases buses would have to be awaited not for five, but for ten minutes. It is precisely Ukrainians, he explained, who cover some vacancies for which the Polish labor market lacks candidates.

The deputy minister noted that if all Ukrainians living in Poland simultaneously did not show up for work one day, the country's economy could come to a halt. In his opinion, the contribution of Ukrainians to the functioning of Poland needs to be talked about more often.

The statement was made against the backdrop of a proposal by the opposition party "Law and Justice" to deport Ukrainian men aged 25 to 60 who do not have legal employment. The party plans to implement this initiative if it wins the 2027 parliamentary elections.

Duszczyk called the proposal poorly thought out. According to data he provided, over 90% of Ukrainian men of draft age staying in Poland are employed. Among the economically inactive may be wounded soldiers undergoing rehabilitation and fathers caring for disabled children.

At the same time, the deportation idea enjoys considerable support among Poles. An IBRiS poll for Rzeczpospolita shows 67.2% of respondents approve. 23.4% are opposed, and 9.4% remain undecided. The survey was conducted on August 7-8, 2026, among 1,073 people.

Duszczyk also suggested that after the war ends, a large proportion of Ukrainians will stay in Poland. Their children already attend Polish schools, adults work, learn the language, and integrate ever deeper into local society.

Without a strong incentive to return, the likelihood of a mass exodus of Ukrainians will be low, the official believes. Some people will return home, but work, children's education, and other life interests of many families will remain tied to Poland.

Source: Polsat News; Polsat News; Rzeczpospolita