Responding to Labour Force Shortages with Migration - the Case of Poland and the Czech Republic

Bartosz BOJKO, B.A. MA

Master's thesis

Abstract:

The thesis aims at adding to the knowledge on one of the most important migration streams from Eastern Europe - the immigration from Ukraine to the Czech Republic and Poland. Migrants from Ukraine constitute not only one of the largest groups of foreigners within both countries but were identified as a favoured source of labour force. This predominant perception of Ukrainian immigrants justifies the focus of the thesis on the use of immigration rom Ukraine as a measure or tool for responding to labour force shortages in the period 1989 - 2019. The thesis explores how Poland and the Czech Republic shaped and implemented their migration policies to use the Ukrainian immigration to remedy the problem of labour force shortages. Based on exploration of relevant policies and their implementation, it will be argued that the policy lacks to certain extent effectiveness. Moreover, it can be argued that both countries are still not open to permanent migration and prefer to find solutions over the mode of the short-term temporary migrations of circular character.

Abstract:

The thesis aims at adding to the knowledge on one of the most important migration streams from Eastern Europe - the immigration from Ukraine to the Czech Republic and Poland. Migrants from Ukraine constitute not only one of the largest groups of foreigners within both countries but were identified as a favoured source of labour force. This predominant perception of Ukrainian immigrants justifies the focus of the thesis on the use of immigration rom Ukraine as a measure or tool for responding to labour force shortages in the period 1989 - 2019. The thesis explores how Poland and the Czech Republic shaped and implemented their migration policies to use the Ukrainian immigration to remedy the problem of labour force shortages. Based on exploration of relevant policies and their implementation, it will be argued that the policy lacks to certain extent effectiveness. Moreover, it can be argued that both countries are still not open to permanent migration and prefer to find solutions over the mode of the short-term temporary migrations of circular character.

Keywords

migration, labour force, shortage, push-pull theory

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 13. 10. 2021

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 13. 10. 2021
• Supervisor: JUDr. Mag. iur. Michal Malacka, Ph.D., MBA

Palacký University Olomouc

Faculty of Law

Master programme / field:
Political Science / European Studies Focusing on European Law