{"id":170,"date":"2026-01-20T12:45:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T11:45:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pre.labour-int.eu\/?p=170"},"modified":"2026-10-23T12:40:21","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T10:40:21","slug":"pilot-project-in-poland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.labour-int.eu\/index.php\/2026\/01\/20\/pilot-project-in-poland\/","title":{"rendered":"Pilot project in Poland"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As part of LABOUR-INT III, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.opzz.org.pl\/about-us\">All-Poland Alliance of Trade Unions (OPZZ)<\/a> is leading a pilot project to support the integration of Ukrainian migrants and refugees into the Polish labour market through language training, improved access to information, and practical guidance on living and working in the country.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:post-content -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>From November 2024 to January 2025, <strong>OPZZ has organised <a href=\"https:\/\/www.opzz.org.pl\/aktualnosci\/kraj\/2024\/xi\/bezplatny-kurs-jezyka-polskiego-opzz-dla-uchodzcow\">three free intensive Polish language courses<\/a><\/strong> for a total of 51 Ukrainian migrants and refugees. The courses combined in-person and online learning, and focused both on everyday communication and workplace language.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Each course consisted of 100 lessons of 45 minutes and covered both general Polish and labour market\u2013specific vocabulary. Through interactive methods such as group work, role-play and real-life job scenarios, participants gain confidence in using Polish and feeling better prepared to enter the labour market. From the three courses provided, feedback from participants confirmed increased confidence in everyday communication, readiness to apply for jobs, and a strong demand for continuation at higher levels (A2\u2013B2) and in\u00a0specialised\u00a0sectors such as healthcare, education, and administration.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Throught the project cycle, OPZZ has significantly <strong>upgraded the <a href=\"https:\/\/pracujgodnie.pl\/en\/\">OPZZ\u2019s multilingual helpdesk tools<\/a> <\/strong>to improve accessibility for migrant workers, particularly Ukrainian nationals. New features include:<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list --><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul><!-- wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Enhancement and activation of the Ukrainian-language version of the helpdesk chatbot, offering faster and more relevant responses.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item --><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Development and launch of full English and Ukrainian versions of the helpdesk websites (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.opzz.org.pl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">opzz.org.pl<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/pracujgodnie.pl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pracujgodnie.pl<\/a>), with comprehensive static content and regular blog updates.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item --><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Creation and deployment of an English-language chatbot to reach a broader audience.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item --><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Implementation of automatic language detection for both websites and chatbot, matching the interface language to the user\u2019s browser settings.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item --><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Technical fixes to improve site navigation, including the resolution of menu display issues.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>These upgrades have significantly increased the helpdesk\u2019s capacity to deliver rights-based information and guidance to migrant workers in their own language, thereby enhancing their ability to navigate the Polish labour market and defend their rights.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" style=\"font-size: 1rem; aspect-ratio: 2.14246 \/ 1; width: 445px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.labour-int.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1000052233-1-1024x478.jpg\" alt=\"\" height=\"208\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In autumn 2025, <strong>OPZZ delivered a series of <\/strong><a style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1uSPCYFBsOYwrcA4XQMHrM0-i5yeCrE5h\/view\"><strong>six seminars<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<strong>dedicated to legalizing residence in the country and addressing workplace exploitation and abuse<\/strong>. The sessions provided practical guidance on residence procedures in Poland, including recent legal changes affecting Ukrainian nationals and third-country workers, and were attended by a total number of 86 participants.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Each\u00a0webinar\u00a0focused on practical aspects of the regularization of residence status in Poland.\u00a0Particular attention\u00a0was given to the recent amendment to the Act of 12 March 2022 on\u00a0assistance\u00a0to Ukrainian citizens in connection with the armed conflict in their home country. The sessions also covered key legal frameworks, such as the Act on Foreigners and the new 2025 Act regulating the conditions for employment of third-country nationals. In addition to explaining legal procedures, the webinars included guidance on navigating Polish public institutions, access to residence permits, and understanding social rights.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>OPZZ also organised <b>two practical workshops aimed at strengthening migrants&#8217; knowledge of their rights and the mechanisms available to protect them against labour exploitation and abuse<\/b>. Held in Warsaw on 1 November 2025, in Ukrainian and English, the workshops addressed legal residence and employment conditions, workers&#8217; social rights, and the role of Polish public institutions, including labour inspectorates, employment offices and other competent authorities. Particular attention was given to recognising workplace violations, understanding available complaint mechanisms and identifying the institutions responsible for providing assistance. The workshops brought together <strong>15 participants from five nationalities<\/strong>, offering practical guidance to help migrant workers protect their rights and access appropriate support.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" style=\"font-size: 1rem; width: 385px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.labour-int.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-03-at-07.28.23-2-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" height=\"289\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Complementing these activities, OPZZ organised several other activities. Among these, the <strong style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">organization of a round table meeting <\/strong>in February 2026 in which experts identified and discussed a number of challenges to refugees and migrants&#8217; labour market integration. These range from systemic issues -the direction of the migration policy in Poland and how it should be linked with the labour dynamics in Poland or the scope of integration policy (should it be universal or targeted and if the latter, who should be integrated), to more operational issues such as speed of processing permit and visa applications.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.labour-int.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-10-07-at-15.59.37-2-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"448\" height=\"336\" \/><\/p>\n<p>As part of its efforts to promote diversity, equal treatment and inclusive working environments, OPZZ additionally hosted the &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.labour-int.eu\/index.php\/event\/migrant-forum-diversity-and-integration-of-migrant-workers-in-the-labour-market\/\">Migrant Forum: Diversity and Integration of Migrant Workers in the Labour Market<\/a>&#8221; on 30 September 2026 to exchange perspectives on the challenges faced by migrant workers residing in Poland and possible actions that trade unions can take to support their inclusion.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":1271,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} --><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">The event brought together <strong>32 participants<\/strong>, including migrant workers, trade union representatives, public institutions and experts, to exchange experiences and discuss the challenges of labour market integration in Poland. Discussions focused on migrants&#8217; needs and expectations, national integration policies, labour rights and protection mechanisms, and the importance of inclusive communication in diverse workplaces. The forum also highlighted the role of trade unions in preventing discrimination, supporting migrant workers and promoting fair and inclusive employment practices. By encouraging dialogue between migrants and key labour market stakeholders, the initiative contributed to raising awareness and identifying approaches to strengthen workplace inclusion.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As part of LABOUR-INT III, the All-Poland Alliance of Trade Unions (OPZZ) is leading a pilot project to support the integration of Ukrainian migrants and refugees into the Polish labour market through language training, improved access to information, and practical guidance on living and working in the country.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-3rd-edition"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.labour-int.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.labour-int.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.labour-int.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.labour-int.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.labour-int.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=170"}],"version-history":[{"count":39,"href":"https:\/\/www.labour-int.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1309,"href":"https:\/\/www.labour-int.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170\/revisions\/1309"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.labour-int.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.labour-int.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=170"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.labour-int.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}