Posts by journo26

journo26

11 Jan 2008

UK, Ireland / What's it really like being a Polish worker in the UK? [25]

Hi there,

I'm a journalist researching an article on the issues surrounding migrant workers in the UK.

I'd be very interested to hear from Polish workers, or indeed anyone from the 'Accession 8' countries, who have come to live and work in the UK in the past two or three years.

What makes life in the UK better or worse than life back home?
Do you see your stay as temporary ? eg. To stay for a couple of years to make enough money to buy a flat back home?

Or are you keen to stay in the UK and make a life here?

I'm also especially interested to hear your employment stories:

Are you treated the same at work as your British colleagues?
Do you feel integrated into the wider workforce, or marginalised?
Are your skills and qualifications recognised and utilised by your employer?
How would you describe your experience of working in the UK?

Many thanks, I look forward to hearing from you! If you'd prefer to respond privately then please do email me.

journo26

14 Jan 2008

UK, Ireland / What's it really like being a Polish worker in the UK? [25]

Hi Guys, thanks for the entertaining answers! You seem to have a good little community going on here. Apologies for the rather blunt follow-up question though, but is anyone here actually Polish (and if not, why you are a member of a Polish forum - not being funny, am just intrigued)?

Would love some answers to the orignal questions, but if no-one can help then any info about where I could find a forum for Polish/Eastern European's in the UK (and written in English) would be gratefully received.

Many thanks,

Journo.

journo26

14 Jan 2008

UK, Ireland / What's it really like being a Polish worker in the UK? [25]

Thanks for the explanation sapphire, that makes sense now. Yes I can see what you mean ? these questions have been asked before! But the truth of the matter is that a large part of the British media still sees ?The Poles?, or any of the ?A8? workers, as an unwanted flood of immigrants who have come here to exploit their great nation!

You so often hear stories about how these new immigrants are a huge drain on our public services (without taking into account the taxes they pay, or that many actually staff these public services).

All you hear about are segregated towns where the locals despise the immigrants, and the immigrants build self-imposed ghettos where the food, language, culture and religion are shipped over with them; and who therefore never socialise with their British co-workers or neighbours.

If this is really true, and the Daily Mail have got it right after all, then let?s leave it to them to monopolise the reportage on this issue.

If you think this media portrayal is unfair, however, then do let me know?