The coalfields of Upper Silesia used to emplpy hundreds of thousands of steel workers.
Now, South Poland is a region in crisis. In the neglected factories, children collect old metal. The Social Security system from where many unemployed get their remittances is not enough to maintain a family.
The Steel Works, Huta Katowice, was sold to an Indian steel magnate in an attempt to safeguard jobs. At the end of the period of grace, it was announced that several salaried employees were too be dismissed.
Single mother Lucyna, worked here for the last twenty years as an accountant. However there are no more jobs in the firm for her two sons.
Lucyna
The employment market is very bad. It is a tragedy that young people are obliged to go abroad to find work. Like every mother, I long to have my two sons nearby. But they have to leave and go to Europe.
Twenty-seven year old Daniel works as a forklift operator for Audi in Birmingham.
Daniel Umiecki
Poles today have to compete with each other. Previously I earned £10 an hour, today only £6. The employer knows that many Poles are willing to work for less money. The English are a lazy race. They want to be comfortable and cozy, but they get annoyed when we want to work.
The social impact is incalculable. Initially Daniel shared a room with three other Poles. Now he lived with his older brother in a two bedroom flat.
DANIEL
I came to visit my brother and have since stayed on as he found me a job. At that time we were here illegally. Our life was limited to commuting between the workplace and the flat because of fear or the Police and Deportation authorities. Since we joined the EU, many Poles have come over, and with it, more competition. For us personally, we have not benefited that much from EU membership.
Since Poland became a member of the EU two years ago, one and a half million people, many young ones, have crossed the English Channel to get away from the chronic unemployment and destitution of their homeland. Apart from Ireland and Sweden, only the United Kingdom has opened up its employment market to the new Europeans.
Those who arrive in London Victoria without contacts will be able to make arrangements with their fellow countrymen in the Polish dominated quarter of Hammersmith. In local shops Indian put out offers and advertisements for jobs and flats for newcomers.
FEROSE NIHAR SHOP OWNER
Many, many are in search of jobs. Previously it was very simple to find work. We were one of the first Polish shops in London. But since Poland joined the EU there is much more competition. It makes practical sense for Indians to sell Polish foods today.
Sausages, Polish delicacies not easily found in Polish shops, even pickled cucumber, sell like hot cakes. The export of Polish food in the UK has tripled since Poland joined the EU.
The demand is not only for Polish sausages but also for pastoral care among the Catholic Poles. In the oldest Polish church in London, there are now no less than five masses on Sundays to cope with the needs of the faithful. Between emigrants from the post war years you now find young families with small children.
TADEUSZ KUKLA PARISH PRIEST
Definitely there are thousands of young people who regularly come to church on Sundays. They do not only go to the Polish church but also to the English ones.
Also new is the Polish workbar in Kings street int he South west of the city. The gamble with casual workers is that they may not be paid.
1 UNEMPLOYED PERSON
One will be called. It all seems regular and above board flat, food,, pay, all guaranteed. Then you get turned out and you will know you have been lied to.
UNEMPLOYED PERSON 2
The quickest place to find work is at a building site. It is well paid enough to make a living. But people who come to England, without money and without knowing the language will get a shock. They end up sleeping in parks, often under bridges.
Two years ago the British were full of praise for the hardworking immigrants from Eastern Europe. But the increasing number of unemployed and homeless immigrants has changed public attitudes.
ANTONY BROWNE / THE TIMES
The British government was shocked by the numbers of immigrants that came from Eastern Europe. It was twenty times as much as they were expecting. And it had an overall effect on Labour Party diehards. These traditionally poor working class laborers often complained to their representatives that their pay is decreasing, and that they are losing their jobs. They told Tony Blair, no more. We must first come to terms with these masses before taking in new ones. The message was understood. The London Government has now announced that the employment policy for people from Bulgaria and Rumania will not be the same.
This marks a complete shift in British policy. The government had an open door policy for Poles and Hungarians. Now they are saying, no thanks. The assault is too great, its impact too strong. The borders stay.
That ever more Poles are climbing the ladder of promotion to the upper reaches of insurance companies and banks in the city is not that well known. These successful Poles have founded Polish City Club to improve the national image.
MAGDALENA A POWOLNA / EUROPEAN BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
Unfortunately there is a negative stereotype. But thanks to the Polish City Club, there will be a gradual change of image. British business will discover that the Polish nation comprises more than plumbers and manual labourers.
The weekly newspaper Polish Express offers support to Poles throughout the country. The young editorial team provides newcomers not only with the latest news from the homeland and the host country. With items like Target Poles and Hunt for Polish Homeless it supplies information on pending negative headlines in the British press. It is also successful in the number of job offers that it has on its vacancies pages.
IZABELA NOWAK / EDITOR IN CHIEF POLISH EXPRESS
We give emergency numbers and Polish club details, both in London and all over. Above all we want to facilitate life for the newcomer.
In London the Polish Express is available free in the Underground stations.
Other topics include: Tips for Pubs or Discos
At night with 8 million in the metropolis, consumption booms. By early morning thousands of hungry lives are in the floodlit streets, on the inner city roads. In the countless bars and restaurants, recently Poles have dominated the scene as kitchen staff or waiters. Sylvia has been in London for a year studying.
SYLVIA / STUDENT
Many people say how great life is over here. However it appears to me many do not say it as it really is and may feel ashamed to turn back towards their country. Life is not really all that rosy here. Sometimes it is even quite tough.
The time is ripe for Poles to turn back again to their home country. The drain is making itself felt. The economy is suffering. Craftsmen are scarce. Polish politicians warn that unless the trend is reversed, Poland could itself be swamped by Bulgarians and Romanians migrants.
Now, South Poland is a region in crisis. In the neglected factories, children collect old metal. The Social Security system from where many unemployed get their remittances is not enough to maintain a family.
The Steel Works, Huta Katowice, was sold to an Indian steel magnate in an attempt to safeguard jobs. At the end of the period of grace, it was announced that several salaried employees were too be dismissed.
Single mother Lucyna, worked here for the last twenty years as an accountant. However there are no more jobs in the firm for her two sons.
Lucyna
The employment market is very bad. It is a tragedy that young people are obliged to go abroad to find work. Like every mother, I long to have my two sons nearby. But they have to leave and go to Europe.
Twenty-seven year old Daniel works as a forklift operator for Audi in Birmingham.
Daniel Umiecki
Poles today have to compete with each other. Previously I earned £10 an hour, today only £6. The employer knows that many Poles are willing to work for less money. The English are a lazy race. They want to be comfortable and cozy, but they get annoyed when we want to work.
The social impact is incalculable. Initially Daniel shared a room with three other Poles. Now he lived with his older brother in a two bedroom flat.
DANIEL
I came to visit my brother and have since stayed on as he found me a job. At that time we were here illegally. Our life was limited to commuting between the workplace and the flat because of fear or the Police and Deportation authorities. Since we joined the EU, many Poles have come over, and with it, more competition. For us personally, we have not benefited that much from EU membership.
Since Poland became a member of the EU two years ago, one and a half million people, many young ones, have crossed the English Channel to get away from the chronic unemployment and destitution of their homeland. Apart from Ireland and Sweden, only the United Kingdom has opened up its employment market to the new Europeans.
Those who arrive in London Victoria without contacts will be able to make arrangements with their fellow countrymen in the Polish dominated quarter of Hammersmith. In local shops Indian put out offers and advertisements for jobs and flats for newcomers.
FEROSE NIHAR SHOP OWNER
Many, many are in search of jobs. Previously it was very simple to find work. We were one of the first Polish shops in London. But since Poland joined the EU there is much more competition. It makes practical sense for Indians to sell Polish foods today.
Sausages, Polish delicacies not easily found in Polish shops, even pickled cucumber, sell like hot cakes. The export of Polish food in the UK has tripled since Poland joined the EU.
The demand is not only for Polish sausages but also for pastoral care among the Catholic Poles. In the oldest Polish church in London, there are now no less than five masses on Sundays to cope with the needs of the faithful. Between emigrants from the post war years you now find young families with small children.
TADEUSZ KUKLA PARISH PRIEST
Definitely there are thousands of young people who regularly come to church on Sundays. They do not only go to the Polish church but also to the English ones.
Also new is the Polish workbar in Kings street int he South west of the city. The gamble with casual workers is that they may not be paid.
1 UNEMPLOYED PERSON
One will be called. It all seems regular and above board flat, food,, pay, all guaranteed. Then you get turned out and you will know you have been lied to.
UNEMPLOYED PERSON 2
The quickest place to find work is at a building site. It is well paid enough to make a living. But people who come to England, without money and without knowing the language will get a shock. They end up sleeping in parks, often under bridges.
Two years ago the British were full of praise for the hardworking immigrants from Eastern Europe. But the increasing number of unemployed and homeless immigrants has changed public attitudes.
ANTONY BROWNE / THE TIMES
The British government was shocked by the numbers of immigrants that came from Eastern Europe. It was twenty times as much as they were expecting. And it had an overall effect on Labour Party diehards. These traditionally poor working class laborers often complained to their representatives that their pay is decreasing, and that they are losing their jobs. They told Tony Blair, no more. We must first come to terms with these masses before taking in new ones. The message was understood. The London Government has now announced that the employment policy for people from Bulgaria and Rumania will not be the same.
This marks a complete shift in British policy. The government had an open door policy for Poles and Hungarians. Now they are saying, no thanks. The assault is too great, its impact too strong. The borders stay.
That ever more Poles are climbing the ladder of promotion to the upper reaches of insurance companies and banks in the city is not that well known. These successful Poles have founded Polish City Club to improve the national image.
MAGDALENA A POWOLNA / EUROPEAN BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
Unfortunately there is a negative stereotype. But thanks to the Polish City Club, there will be a gradual change of image. British business will discover that the Polish nation comprises more than plumbers and manual labourers.
The weekly newspaper Polish Express offers support to Poles throughout the country. The young editorial team provides newcomers not only with the latest news from the homeland and the host country. With items like Target Poles and Hunt for Polish Homeless it supplies information on pending negative headlines in the British press. It is also successful in the number of job offers that it has on its vacancies pages.
IZABELA NOWAK / EDITOR IN CHIEF POLISH EXPRESS
We give emergency numbers and Polish club details, both in London and all over. Above all we want to facilitate life for the newcomer.
In London the Polish Express is available free in the Underground stations.
Other topics include: Tips for Pubs or Discos
At night with 8 million in the metropolis, consumption booms. By early morning thousands of hungry lives are in the floodlit streets, on the inner city roads. In the countless bars and restaurants, recently Poles have dominated the scene as kitchen staff or waiters. Sylvia has been in London for a year studying.
SYLVIA / STUDENT
Many people say how great life is over here. However it appears to me many do not say it as it really is and may feel ashamed to turn back towards their country. Life is not really all that rosy here. Sometimes it is even quite tough.
The time is ripe for Poles to turn back again to their home country. The drain is making itself felt. The economy is suffering. Craftsmen are scarce. Polish politicians warn that unless the trend is reversed, Poland could itself be swamped by Bulgarians and Romanians migrants.