Economic Migration: This is a type of voluntary migration where people migrate for job reasons. This might because they have no job in their current location or that a job in a different location offers better pay or a better position.
Push Factor: Things that make you want to leave the destination that you live in.
Pull Factor: Things that attract you to a new location.
Discrimination: Unfair treatment of a person, racial/ethnic/cultural group or minority group.
Migration - Poland to the UK
In 2001 the UK Census showed that there were about 60,000 Polish born people living in the UK. However, by 2010 it was estimated that this figure 515,000 (some unofficial estimates say it is closer to 1 million). The large-scale migration started in 2004 when Poland and seven other countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary and the Czech Republic) joined the EU. Their membership of the EU gave Poles much greater freedom to travel, live and work in other EU member countries. Most Poles have applied and registered to work in the UK legally, but others have visited the UK and just not left - this is why the true number of Poles inside the UK is not fully known. Poles may not officially register to avoid paying tax on their earnings. Many of the unregistered migrants maybe working in farming. Farm working is very seasonal, so these workers may spend a lot of time moving between jobs and also returning home in between seasons. Most Poles have migrated because they have better economic opportunities in the UK than Poland (although the current global recession has encouraged many to return home). Although the migration of Eastern Europeans has inflamed some nationalist sentiment, on the whole Poles contribute an awful lot more to the British economy than they take. Many of the people protesting against migrants would not do the jobs migrants do and would certainly not do it for similar pay and treatment (not necessarily by workers, but some members of the public).
There are improved social, cultural and political links to the UK
Reduced pressure on schools and hospitals
Reduced levels of unemployment as more jobs become available for people who have stayed
The vast majority of migrants return to Poland with greater wealth, better language skills and possible training acquired in their work.
Possible reduced levels of congestion and pollution.
Skilled workers like plumbers and electricians have migrated filling many shortages in the UK.
Polish food has been introduced to the UK and is now readily available in most supermarkets.
There are improved social, cultural and political links to Poland
The majority of Poles are only going to stay in the UK if they have jobs, therefore the majority are paying taxes
Many Poles are seasonal migrants and work in farming when demand for workers is highest during harvest.
Migrants can reduce production costs and make UK manufacturing more competitive by accepting the minimum wage
Negative Impacts of Migration
Mainly the economically active are leaving Poland which is increasing the dependency ratio
Family division although airlines like Ryanair and Easy Jet do offer cheap flights between the UK and Poland.
Loss of skilled workers, especially in the construction sector
Possible worker shortages during harvest time
Reduced tax revenues from workers who have left - although considering the high unemployment, vacant jobs left by migrants should be filled.
Migration has caused some racial tension between Brits and migrants. Some political parties like the BNP have seen an increase in support.
Cost of providing education for Polish students.
Increased pressure on welfare support if Polish become unemployed in the UK.
Cost of providing healthcare to workers and their families that become sick.
Increased pressure on housing.
Increased congestion and pollution
Cost of translation - in the UK things like road signs have had to be translated to Polish
Any increase in population can increase in demand and therefore may create inflation
Mapping Migrants in the UK
You might expect that most migrants would gravitate towards large urban areas like London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool. However, although this might be true for London, the map to the right suggests that most other large urban areas have received relatively few migrants considering their size. According to the map the areas with the most migrants between 2004-2007 include places like:
North and Central Scotland
The Wash (Lincolnshire and North Norfolk)
Herefordshire (on the border of England and Wales)
Yorkshire (near Leeds and Bradford)
With the exception of the last area the other areas are very much rural. The reason for this unexpected distribution is some of the jobs that migrants are taking. Not many are taking jobs in the tertiary sector, plus the number of secondary (manufacturing jobs) is declining in the UK. Therefore the majority are taking jobs either in the construction sector (electricians, painters, plumbers, plasterers, etc.) or the primary sector (farming and fishing). As you know the majority of primary jobs are found in rural areas and this is why there is probably larger numbers than expected in these areas.
Even though there are significant numbers of migrants in rural areas, the main Polish diaspora is located in London. The main centre in London is in West London around Hammersmith. Migrants tend to collect together for social and cultural reasons. Reasons may include support from friends and family (this might be accommodation, advice or simply friendship), common language, religious and cultural activity. In West London there is the Polish Social and Cultural Centre (POSK) and the Federation of Poles in Great Britain
Labour flows
Economic Migration: This is a type of voluntary migration where people migrate for job reasons. This might because they have no job in their current location or that a job in a different location offers better pay or a better position.
Push Factor: Things that make you want to leave the destination that you live in.
Pull Factor: Things that attract you to a new location.
Discrimination: Unfair treatment of a person, racial/ethnic/cultural group or minority group.
Migration - Poland to the UK
In 2001 the UK Census showed that there were about 60,000 Polish born people living in the UK. However, by 2010 it was estimated that this figure 515,000 (some unofficial estimates say it is closer to 1 million). The large-scale migration started in 2004 when Poland and seven other countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary and the Czech Republic) joined the EU. Their membership of the EU gave Poles much greater freedom to travel, live and work in other EU member countries. Most Poles have applied and registered to work in the UK legally, but others have visited the UK and just not left - this is why the true number of Poles inside the UK is not fully known. Poles may not officially register to avoid paying tax on their earnings. Many of the unregistered migrants maybe working in farming. Farm working is very seasonal, so these workers may spend a lot of time moving between jobs and also returning home in between seasons. Most Poles have migrated because they have better economic opportunities in the UK than Poland (although the current global recession has encouraged many to return home). Although the migration of Eastern Europeans has inflamed some nationalist sentiment, on the whole Poles contribute an awful lot more to the British economy than they take. Many of the people protesting against migrants would not do the jobs migrants do and would certainly not do it for similar pay and treatment (not necessarily by workers, but some members of the public).
Nearly 600,000 New EU Migrants - BBC article
Workers of the World - Guardian Article
Poles Apart: Stay in the UK or Return Home - Guardian Article
Poland: Immigration is back for good life despite economic crisis - Guardian article
Push Factors from Poland and Eastern Europe
Pull Factors to the United Kingdom
Poland
United Kingdom
Positive Impacts of Migration
Negative Impacts of Migration
Mapping Migrants in the UK
You might expect that most migrants would gravitate towards large urban areas like London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool. However, although this might be true for London, the map to the right suggests that most other large urban areas have received relatively few migrants considering their size. According to the map the areas with the most migrants between 2004-2007 include places like:
With the exception of the last area the other areas are very much rural. The reason for this unexpected distribution is some of the jobs that migrants are taking. Not many are taking jobs in the tertiary sector, plus the number of secondary (manufacturing jobs) is declining in the UK. Therefore the majority are taking jobs either in the construction sector (electricians, painters, plumbers, plasterers, etc.) or the primary sector (farming and fishing). As you know the majority of primary jobs are found in rural areas and this is why there is probably larger numbers than expected in these areas.
Even though there are significant numbers of migrants in rural areas, the main Polish diaspora is located in London. The main centre in London is in West London around Hammersmith. Migrants tend to collect together for social and cultural reasons. Reasons may include support from friends and family (this might be accommodation, advice or simply friendship), common language, religious and cultural activity. In West London there is the Polish Social and Cultural Centre (POSK) and the Federation of Poles in Great Britain
Mapping Migration from the new EU countries - BBC article
EU Migrants Settling Across UK - BBC article
Migrant Workers - What We Know - BBC article
Is Brazil's Economic Growth Enough To Draw Emigrants Home - BBC article