UK, Ireland / I worry about the Poles working in the UK [77]


Wait and see. Migrant labourers are always the first to get scapegoated for the government's mistakes. Expect anti-migrant discourse to be ramped up as the conditions get worse.


They have, duh.


Seasonal workers, duh.

UK, Ireland / I worry about the Poles working in the UK [77]


What home grown industries exist in NI? One of the big problems with Ireland is that they can't get their own act together and rely on selling cheap labour to multinationals. Oh yes - the Irish have played the undercutting game as well...


Hang on a sec I'll get you a medal


Don't worry. You have something like 5 or 6 years to make up the shortfall.


I'm worried about unemployment and poverty causing dissatisfaction amongst an uneducated working class that boils over into migrant bashing and draconian laws cutting back further on civil liberties. Even now the police are asking the govt for more powers to stop and search anyone they want. Wait and see, Pennboy. Wait and see

UK, Ireland / I worry about the Poles working in the UK [77]


Oh I remember you now - you're the one on the steroids, aren't you? Look, just ask your carer to write to the Inland Revenue when you're not 'roid raging and they will explain it to you.


No, but the Poles are probably the largest homogenous segment of migrant labour so they'll get most of the bile. Also, ask whoever looks after you to reread the section I wrote about the govt pushing through new legislation.

UK, Ireland / I worry about the Poles working in the UK [77]


And you are telling me that all the 'Pakis out' style graffitti and NF / EDL marchs are simply the way inner city people extend their hand to foreigners? You are in denial. Britain is a fundamentally racist society and has been for centuries. The only reason you've never noticed is because you haven't been the minority - Although it is a sad comment on British society if you represent the norm.

UK, Ireland / I worry about the Poles working in the UK [77]


Sorry had to go and meet friends, do some odds and ends with the wife. You know - guy stuff. How was the evening on the internet?


True. I didn't want to single out Britain as the only racist society but you'll find discrimination everywhere and the UK is not immune to it. The best selling newspaper is the Daily Mail, the BNP was winning seats in local government recently and it wasn't too long ago that you could watch shows like the Black and White minstrel show and Bless this house on nationwide TV - look for the episodes on youtube and there'll be a dozen people commenting that it was a shame they were taken off the air because everyone, including black people, found them funny.


OK OK. The point is that Poles and other migrant workers are probably going to get treated more roughly (through harrassment, ostracism, possible violence) by the local people as conditions worsen. This happens in every country to all national / ethnic groups.

UK, Ireland / I worry about the Poles working in the UK [77]


Good question! The only benefit of mass unemployment I can see is for large business owners, who gain a large disposable pool of labour who are willing to put up with low salaries and poor conditions (the function Poles have been serving for the past couple of years). However, in the long run, nobody can buy products and services and the economy stalls.

UK, Ireland / I worry about the Poles working in the UK [77]


Whether or not they go home will be based on how well they have assimilated into British society, whether they have employment and so on. I'm not saying they should or shouldn't.

UK, Ireland / I worry about the Poles working in the UK [77]


I suppose it would depend on the individual. I know some Poles working as consultants in the NHS who are obviously needed by the country and would be difficult to replace. Then again, I know others who are in low paid factory jobs which could be done by local British workers. Some of them would probably be better off moving to Germany for example and finding work there but it might be difficult for others who have started families. What do you reckon? Should they stick it out and wait for the upturn?

Law / Got Polish citizenship, now I need a Pesel and passport [26]


Oh I'm sure one would....

From what I can remember, you can get your passport through the consulate who processed your citizenship. If not, you have to go to the passport office in Warsaw.

My PESEL was eventually awarded by the USC (Urzad Stanu Cywilnego). I had to provide the documentation from the other offices I went to - I think it was proof of registration (zameldowania) from the local delegatura, a letter from the president confirming my citizenship and maybe something else from the passport office.

Sorry I can't be more help - the people in the offices are bastards and they look for any reason to get out of helping you. If you have some spare time, this looks possibly helpful - it has the address of the Warsaw USC if nothing else transparent.com/polish/tag/urzad-stanu-cywilnego/

Otherwise, it might actually be worth checking out out one of those private immigration firms - I think they will handle all the paperwork for you.

Law / Got Polish citizenship, now I need a Pesel and passport [26]


amen.


But you need to be registered to stay anywhere in Poland, surely. If Kay is living in Warsaw, she should have zameldowanie, and her local USC / delegatura should issue the appropriate documents. I too had to go back and forth between offices until they acknowledged this.

Kay, best get it done in Australia - I'm sure you'll have more success.