Notes on immigration in the context of the tasks of polish social policy

Abstract

The text is part of a wider discourse that covers the topic: Immigration to Poland – social, economic and legal implications for social policy and social work. This issue became the subject of interest of the participants of the 3rd Social Work Week organized by the Institute of Social Work of The Pontifical University of John Paul II in Cracow on 6th April 2017. There are many challenges facing social policy and social work (which is seen mainly as an instrument of social policy.) Poland’s social policy has little chance of coping with immigration problems, since it cannot cope with the problems of emigration. The emigration of Poles, caused by mass unemployment, has become a social issue that could be described as an immigration issue. Unemployment is mainly driven by three factors: lack of work, low wages and exploitation on the labor market. Polish social policy still cannot overcome these factors or even significantly reduce them. Mass immigration will necessitate the integration of refugees and immigrants. However, their integration can only take place when they are earning a living. In Poland, in the absence of work, real integration is not possible. In this context, the appeal of Pope Francis to individual European countries to receive only as many refugees or immigrants as they can integrate into their own society, is significant.