Integration of refugees in Poland in numbers

Integration of refugees in Poland- in numbers 1st edition, 2007 Publication prepared by the Polish Migration Forum upon the order of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Warsaw. Editorial team: Agnieszka Kosowicz, Anna Maciejko, Agnieszka Balcer-Thinlay, Joanna Oberlan-Maroń, Adelajda Kołodziejska. Graphic design: Eliza Goszczyńska

UNHCR Al. Róż 2 00-556 Warszawa www.unhcr.org [email protected]

 olish Migration Forum P www.forummigracyjne.org [email protected]

ISBN 978-83-914939-7-7 © Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Warsaw. Opinions and analyses presented in this publication do not always reflect the opinions and the official position of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. This publication is a result of joint work of the author and cooperating persons. Editing and printing: www.makprint.pl

Table of contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5

Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6

Chapter 1. Refugees in comparison with other groups of foreigners in Poland Foreigners in Poland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unaccompanied foreigner minors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Asylum seekers and foreigners granted protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10 13 16

Chapter 2: Integration of foreigners in Poland Polish language – basis for integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Education and professional competences of foreigners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Refugees and persons granted the tolerated stay permit on the Polish labor market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Availability of accommodation for recognized refugees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Individual Integration Programmes for recognized refugees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Governmental) social assistance programmes for refugees and persons granted the tolerated stay permit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NGO integration programmes for refugees and persons granted the tolerated stay permit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

70

Chapter 3. ‘Back-up’ for integration Scientific research and analyses on refugees and persons granted the tolerated stay permit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Refugees and intercultural contexts in the Polish education programmes . . Social awareness on refugees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sources of financing of integration activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

76 84 95 98

34 39 51 55 61 68

Summary and conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Annex Unavailable data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123



Introduction The study “integration of refugees in Poland – in numbers”, prepared at the request of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) by the Polish Migration Forum is an attempt to systematize the knowledge on the presence of refugees in Poland in the context of their integration with the Polish society. The Publication constitutes a collection of information and data on refugees, persons granted subsidiary protection and asylum seekers, available from various Polish institutions and organizations. Some of the information is publicly available, while other have been rendered available to the UNHCR or the Polish Migration Forum Foundation for the purpose of this publication. We trust that this study will allow for better understanding of the situation of foreigners in Poland – and that it will be useful as a tool of reflection on the areas associated with their integration which still remain a challenge. We are very thankful to all institutions and organizations which have provided us with data on the areas of their activity. The present publication does not deal with the issues of illegal immigration. Due to the very nature of this phenomenon, no reliable statistics are available on the illegal migrants in Poland. Even in relation to those who have been in Poland for the longest periods of time, and the largest groups of migrants, out of which a large percentage (as estimated by the experts) have been staying in Poland illegally: Armenian and Vietnamese nationals, the estimated data quoted by various institutions and organizations differ by 100 or more percent. The group of Armenians is estimated to consist of 20 to 40 thousand migrants, according to various sources, the number of the Vietnamese in Poland is estimated to be 20 to 60 thousand. The presence of migrants with non-regulated status in Poland undoubtedly shapes the social attitudes towards foreigners in general, all the more so, because many of them have been staying in Poland for many years, they speak Polish fluently and they function on the Polish (grey) labor market. Lack of reliable data, however, makes it impossible to describe this group of foreigners by means of numbers. The authors have done their best to make sure that the information presented is as complete as possible. The publication reflects the state of knowledge and analytical capacity of the institutions and organizations which deal with refugees and other groups of migrants. Some sets of data, even the seemingly basic ones, such as the number of refugees living in Poland currently, are unavailable. Sometimes, information concerning foreigners is gathered and analyzed differently depending on the voivodship, which leads to difficulties in making country-wide comparisons. The types of data related to the presence and integration of foreigners in Poland which have not been obtained by the authors (as, according to our knowledge, it is not being gathered), although their collection seems reasonable and valuable, have been listed in the annex.



Acknowledgements It would not be possible to gather the data presented without the friendly assistance of numerous institutions and organizations, dealing with the issues of integration of refugees in Poland. The Polish Migration Forum is most thankful for providing information to these organizations and institutions. Particularly valuable data have been provided by: • The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (Department of Labor Market, Department of Social Assistance and Integration) • The Ministry of Regional Development (Department of Management of the European Social Fund) • The Ministry of Education; • The Central Statistical Office, • The Office for Foreigners, • The Cooperation Fund Foundation, • The Implementing Authority for European Programmes, • The Department of Social Policy of the Podlaskie Voivodship Office; • The Department of Social Policy of the Lubelskie Voivodship Office; • The Department of Social Policy of the Łódzkie Voivodship Office; • The Department of Social Policy of the Pomorskie Voivodship Office; • The Department of Social Policy of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodship Office; • The Department of Social Policy of the Mazowieckie Voivodship Office; • The Department of Social Policy of the Małopolskie Voivodship Office; • The Department of Social Policy of the Śląskie Voivodship Office ; • The Department of Social Policy of the Wielkopolskie Voivodship Office; • The Department of Social Policy of the Opolskie Voivodship Office; • The Department of Social Policy of the Podkarpackie Voivodship Office; • The Department of Social Policy of the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodship Office; • The Department of Social Policy of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodship Office;



• The Municipal Office of Lublin; • The Municipal Office of Gdańsk; • The Municipal Office of Białystok; • The Municipal Office of Katowice; • The Municipal Office of Kraków; • Municipal Buildings and Apartments Board in Szczecin; • Poviat Labor Office in Białystok; • Labor Office of the Capital City of Warsaw; • Voivodship Labor Office in Poznań; • Poviat Labor Office in Poznań; • Poviat Labor Office in Lublin; • Municipal Labor Office in Lublin; • Poviat Labor Office in Opole; • Poviat Labor Office in Krapkowice; • Poviat Labor Office in Oleśno; • Poviat Labor Office in Prudnik; • Voivodship Labor Office in Rzeszów; • Warsaw Family Assistance Center; • International Organization for Migration (IOM) • Intercultural Center for Occupational Adaptation (MCAZ); • Association of Legal Intervention (SIP); • Refugee Counselling Center of the Polish Humanitarian Organization; • Institute of Public Affairs • “Linguae Mundi” Foreign Language Teaching Foundation in Warsaw; • Migration Bulletin. We appreciate your assistance and time dedicated to gathering the data for this publication.



Chapter 1. Refugees in comparison with other groups of foreigners in Poland Foreigners in Poland Unaccompanied foreigner minors Asylum seekers and foreigners granted protection

Foreigners in Poland Refugees – people coming to Poland to search for a shelter from prosecution in their own country – are just a small group in the crowd of those crossing the Polish borders. Only in year 2006, according to the data of the Border Guard, the Polish borders were crossed by 128,531,264 foreigners. In relation to this group of almost 130 million people, 7,093 applications for refugee status constitute a very small number – not to mention the 423 persons who have obtained refugee status in Poland this year. However, as the data below show, asylum seekers are a substantial group among those who come to Poland for longer periods of time. Recognized refugees still constitute a small percentage of this group. While refugees started to appear in Poland in larger groups only in the late eighties, foreigners had been present in our country for centuries – nevertheless it is difficult to obtain systematic statistical data to illustrate their presence. The information available mentions the number of persons crossing the borders (such data are gathered by the Polish Border Guard), the Central Statistical Office possesses information on foreigners who have obtained work permits in Poland, as well as those studying in Poland. Data pertaining to asylum seekers and persons granted protection, as well as those who have received a permit for residence or stay for a specified period of time are gathered by the Office for Foreigners (some of the data gathered were delivered to UNHCR by the predecessors of this institution: the Office for Repatriation and Aliens and the Department for Migration and Refugee of the Ministry of the Interior). In this publication, the authors attempted to provide data showing a group of foreigners, in the case of which we can talk about the process of integration with the Polish society. Statistical data rendered accessible by various institution vary, and information provided periodically every year by the same institutions is not coherent. As much as possible, the divergences were described in the references. As a rule, the authors attempted to use the most recent data available.

  www.sg.gov.pl   www.gus.gov.pl    www.udsc. gov.pl  

10

Table 1. Selected groups of foreigners in Poland in years 1998-2005. Foreigners who Received work permits in Poland

Received residence permits

1998

20 759

1657

4893

5541

3423

1999

20 618

551

16 810

6025

3061

2000

19 662

857

15 037

6563

4662

2001

19 793

690

20 787

7380

4529

2002

24 643

607

29 636

7608

5170

2003

19 831

1735

28 567a

8106

6906a

2004

13 179

4365c

254 276c

8829

8079

2005

11 151

3589

22 625

10 092

6860

Year

Received permits to stay for a specified period of time

Studied in Poland

Applied for refugee status

 As regards persons who obtained permits to stay for a specified period of time, the Statistical Yearbook 2004 (Central Statistical Office) mentions 28,579 foreigners, while the Statistical Yearbook 2005 (Central Statistical Office) – 28,567 foreigners. The Statistical Yearbook 2004 (CSO) mentions 6909 asylum seekers in 2003, while the Statistical Yearbook 2005 (CSO) – 6906 persons. In all cases, we provide data from the more recent yearbooks, using them in the subsequent breakdowns. b  Data pertaining to persons who were granted the tolerated stay permit in year 2003, differs depending on the source. We provide the data of the Office for foreigners from the bulletin Dane liczbowe dotyczące postępowań prowadzonych wobec cudzoziemców w latach 2003 -2005 [Figures on proceedings in relation to foreiga

ners, conducted in years 2003-2005].

 Data from different Statistical Yearbooks from subsequent years differs. We provide data from Yearbook 2006.

c

Due to legal changes with regard to refugee status in the last 15 years and changes in the types of data gathered, it is difficult to compare unequivocally the number of asylum seekers in Poland with the general number of foreigners, who have been staying in Poland over the longer periods of time. The table below is only an attempt to characterize the situation and show the group of asylum seekers in relation to other foreigners coming to Poland. However, the table provides only a general outline of the situation. Since not all of the foreigners staying in Poland were taken into account in the first column (due to gaps in the types of data gathered), analyzing the data breakdown presented below, it can be assumed that the number of foreigners present in Poland was not lesser than provided. 

  Data quoted after the Statistical Yearbooks of the Central Statistical Office.

11

Table 2. Foreigners and asylum seekers and recognized refugees – data comparison (1992-2006)

Year

Total of selected foreigner groups (CSO)

Number of asylum seekers (data of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration and the Office for Foreigners)

Number of recognized refugees (data of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration and the Office for Foreigners)

1992

11 935 a

568

74

1993

11 337 a

822

61

1994

11 181 a

537

397

1995

11 363 a

845

106

1996

13 668

a

3210

123

1997

17 498 a

3580

149

1998

20 759 b

3423

66

1999

20 618 b

3061

49

2000

19 662 b

4662

75

2001

19 793

b

4529

296

2002

24 643 b

5170

279

2003

19 831 b

6906

245

Number of Number of foreigners foreigners who who obtained obtained work residence permits permits in Poland in Polandc 2004

36 816

13 179

8079

315

2005

38 474

11 151

6860

335

2006

n.a.

n.a.

7093

485

 the number of foreigners who obtained work permits in Poland (in years 1992 – 1997, the available data cover foreigners studying in Poland, working in Poland on the basis of the number of work

a

12

permits issued, asylum seekers, foreigners who got registered on the basis of their residence permits and those who got permits to settle in Poland (data available from year 1995). Since these groups may partially overlap, it is impossible to sum them up. Taking into account the fact that the highest indicator is the number of foreigners working in Poland, it has been selected as the value illustrating the number of foreigners in the country in years 1992-97. This variable is defined as the number of foreigners who in a given year received individual work permits or permits for foreigners delegated to Poland in order to render export services). b  the number of foreigners who obtained work permits in Poland (for years 1998-2003, the available data illustrate the number of foreigners studying in Poland, employed in Poland on the basis of the number of work permits issued, asylum seekers, foreigners granted permit for stay for a specified period of time, permit for settlement in Poland and those who got registered on the basis of the residence permit obtained. Still, the number of work permits granted remains the indicator covering the greatest number of foreigners, therefore it still illustrates the scale of the presence of foreigners in Poland) c  the total number of foreigners who have obtained temporary residence permits, permit for stay for a specified period of time and permit for settliement in Poland in a given year (due to amendments to the legal provisions, the group of foreigners who needed no permit to work in Poland has been growing in the recent years. Therefore, the indicator applied previously is not reliable. The information on the number of foreigners who have been granted such permits, has been provided for the sake of comparison.

Unaccompanied minor foreigners Unaccompanied minor foreigners in Poland In year 2006, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy conducted an analysis of the situation of foreigner chil20 dren in the Polish foster care centers. 19 3 For the first time, data were gathered 156 on this group of children, and the 19 17 data were analysed together with 1 the Nobody’s Children Foundation. 11 13 The research, encompassing the pe18 22 riod of a year and a half, showed the 14 presence of 318 unaccompanied for2 3 eigner minors in the Polish facilities. A great majority of these children were placed in facilities in the Mazowieckie voivodship. 4

  same as above   Dzieci cudzoziemskie w polskich placówkach opiekuńczo-wychowawczych i rodzinach zastępczych [foreigner

 

children in the Polish foster care centers and foster families] – discussing of data for the period from January 1st, 2005 until May 2006, Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, 2007

13

Among the unaccompanied minors subject to analysis, about 40 percent are children aged 15 to 17. 60 percent of the examined group were boys (191 persons), 39 percent were girls. The gender was not specified in the case of two children. This disproportion is even greater in the group of the oldest children (16 to 18 years of age) – boys constitute about 70 percent of this group.

Main countries of origin of unaccompanied foreigner minors in the Polish facilities (January 1st 2005 – May 2006)

Country of origin

Number of children

Ukraine

84

Vietnam

67

Romania

36

Bulgaria

18

Russian Federation/ Chechnya

16

Russian Federation

17

Other

80

The legal status of almost three quarters of foreigner minors in the facilities (74 percent) is not regulated.



14

  same as above

Legal status of foreign minors placed in the Polish facilities  Legal status

number of children

Non-regulated legal status

235

Permit for tolerated stay

31

Permit for stay for a specified period

22

Asylum seeker

10

EU citizen

9

Permission for settlement

3

Refugee status

1

Permission for long-term stay of an EC resident

1

No data

6

As the research conducted by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy shows, the group of children who have been granted refugee status and tolerated stay permits, includes children living with foster families. Children with a regulated legal status in Poland were staying in the facilities much longer than the others. Among 47 foreigner children present in the facilities in May 2006, when the research was being completed, 23 children had a tolerated stay status, and three were asylum seekers. During the research period, seven asylum seeking children left the facilities; their fate is unknown. A reason for concern is the very high percentage of children who stay at the Polish facilities for a very short time. Among 190 children who left the facilities in the analyzed period, 109 stayed there for less than 7 days. Another 28 children left the facilities within one month, and 31 – within six months. In other words, almost nine out of ten unaccompanied foreigner minors (88 percent) placed in the Polish facilities leave them (usually voluntarily) in a period shorter than six months. Fate of these children is unknown. The analysis of the fates of the foreigner minors not born in Poland, with the exclusion of Vietnamese children, shows that none of them stayed in Poland for more than six months. 57 out of 98 such children (almost 60 percent) left the Polish facilities within 7 days. 

  same as above

15

Asylum seekers and foreigners granted protection in Poland Poland has been receiving asylum applications in accordance with the international refugee law since 1992, after the country signed the Geneva Convention on Refugee Status of 1951. Since 1992 until November 4th, 2007, 65,634 foreigners from more than 120 countries applied for refugee status in Poland.

Table 3. Asylum seekers and foreigners granted protection (1992-2007)

Year 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 1.01.2007 – 4.11.2007 Total 1992–2006 Total 1992–4.11.2007



16

568 822 537 845 3210 3580 3423 3061 4662 4529 5170 6906 8079 6860 7093 6289

Number of refugees recognized in accordance with the Geneva Convention of 1951 74 61 397 106 123 149 66 49 75 296 279 245 315 335 423 159

Number of persons granted the tolerated stay permit -----------73a 1125b 2073b 2133b 2576c

59 345

2993

5404

65 634

3152

No data avaliable

Number of asylum seekers

  Data of the Office for Foreigners (www.udsc.gov.pl)

 There are discrepancies with regard to the number of persons granted the tolerated stay in year 2003. Data provided in the table comes from the bulletin of the Office for Foreigners Dane liczbowe dotyczące postępowań pro­wadzonych wobec cudzoziemców w latach 2003 -2005 [Figures on proceedings with regard to foreigners in years 2003-2005] (http://www.udsc.gov.pl/Zestawienia,roczne,233. html). Among 73 persons granted tolerated stay in this year, 23 persons were granted it after they were refused refugee status. b  Data comes from the breakdown for years 2006-2007 prepared by the Office for IT, Records and Statistics of the Office for Foreigners as ordered by the Polish Migration Forum. c  Until October 31st, 2007. Data of the Office for Foreigners a

The chart presented below illustrates the dynamics of the phenomenon of refugees in Poland in the last 15 years. The first increase in the number of refugee status applications was recorded by Poland in 1996; applicants came mainly from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Iraq. The next visible increase in the number of applications was observed after year 1999, when refugees from Chechnya started coming to Poland. Citizens of the Russian Federation from Caucasus have remained since 2000 the largest groups of asylum seekers, as well as foreigners subjected to protection in Poland. In year 2006, they constituted more than 90 percent of all applicants.

asylum seekers (1992-2006)10 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 1992

1994

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

The main countries of origin of refugees in Poland in the last 15 years are Russia, Armenia and Afghanistan. Since 1999, the great majority of those applying for protection in Poland come from the Russian Federation (mainly Chechens). In total, more than 37 thousand of citizens of this country have applied for refugee status in Poland. 10

  Data of the Office for Foreigners

17

Foreigners applying for refugee status in Poland – main countries of origin (1992-2007)11 Country

number of people

Russia

37189

Armenia

5197

Afghanistan

3778

Sri Lanka

2502

Romania

1520

Pakistan

1468

India

1370

Iraq

1298

Bulgaria

856

Ukraine

840

Other

9616

Total

65634

Over time, nationality of asylum seekers in Poland changed substantially depending on the situation in other countries. The table below presents the dynamics of these changes.

18

  Data of the Office for Foreigners

11

19

Armenia 29%

Other 52%

Other 23,1%

Other 10,7%i

Other 8,7%h

Russia 90,3%

2006

Russia 89,3%

Other 8,9%g

Russia 91,1%

2005

1.1.4.11.2007

Other 11,1%f

Other 19,4%e

Russia 88,9%

Other 29,3%d

2004

Afghanistan 11,6%

Moldova 6%; Romania 5,9%; Mongolia 5,3%; Vietnam 4,4%; Bulgaria 3,9%; Ukraine 3,2%; Iraq 2,4%; Other 12,5%

Russia 80,6%

Afghanistan 9,2%

Bulgaria 7,3%; Afghanistan 6,4%; Mongolia 4%; Vietnam 3,5%; Azerbaijan 3,1%; Georgia 1,7%; Ukraine 1,5%; Other 9,5%

Bulgaria 6%; Mongolia 5,3%; Serbia and Montenegro 4,7%; Russia 4,1; Sri Lanka 3%; Lithuania 2,2%; Pakistan 1,8%; Other 18%

Afghanistan 9,7%; Pakistan 5,3%; Bangladesh 4%; Iraq 3,8%; India 2,8%; Russia 1,5%; Somalia 1,4%; Other 11%

2003

Armenia 14,1%

Romania 7%

Serbia and Montenegro 12,4%

Pakistan 9,8%; Bangladesh 6,4%; Iraq 5,6%; India 4,5%; Somalia 1,9%; Russia 1,4%; Algeria 1,2%; Other 13,4%

Armenia 18,1%

Armenia 13,4%

Armenia 11%; India 7,2%; Bangladesh 6,3%; Somalia 5,8%; Pakistan 5,4%; Russia 2%; Lebanon 1,3% Other 15%

Russia 59,1%

Russia 33,1%

Romania 19,5%

Afghanistan 17,8%

c

a

2002

2001

2000

Russia 25,4%

Afghanistan 18,9%

Armenia 29,4%

1998

1999

Sri Lanka 18,7%

Sri Lanka 24,6%

b

Armenia 9,5%

Armenia 7,8%; Ukraine 6,2%; Iraq 5,3%; Lebanon 4,4%; Russia 4,2%; Moldova 3,0%; Laos 2,6%; Other 15,3%

Afghanistan 8,6%; Somalia 8,6%; Sri Lanka 7,2%; Iraq 6,8%; Algeria 4,1%; Pakistan 4%; Georgia 2,7%; Other 17%

Ethiopia 9,7%

Iraq 11,2%

1997

Afghanistan 15,2%

Sri Lanka 19,6%

1996

Russia 10,1%

Armenia 17,9%

1995 India 13%

Serbia and Montenegro 15,5%

Armenia 48%

Bosnia and Herzegovina 67,4%

Bosnia and Herzegovina 24,1%

1994

1993

1992

Main countries of origin of asylum seekers (1992-2007)

a b c d

– Serbia and Montenegro 6,5% – Bosnia and Herzegovina 6,9% – Iraq 6,3% – 2002: the third main country of origin of the applicants was Armenia. Applications were also filed by citizens of India, Moldova, Mongolia, Iraq, Ukraine and Belarus. e – 2003 – other countries of origin of the applicants are Afghanistan and India (more than 3 percent from each of these countries). f – 2004 – Pakistan and India are the countries of origin of about two percent of the applicants, while representatives of other countries constituted less than one percent of the general number of applicants. g – 2005 – more than 1 percent of applications were filed by citizens of Ukraine, Belarus and Pakistan h – 2006 – the second country of origin of applicants for refugee status was Belarus. Other countries of origin included Pakistan, Ukraine, Armenia i – 2007 – Belarus and Pakistan are other countries of origin (less than 1 percent). Although this data were not known at the time of publication, a further increase in the percentage of applicants from the Russian Federation can be expected – the recent months brought a sudden increase in the number of applications filed by citizens of this country).

1992 was the first year in which Poland granted refugee status in accordance with the Geneva Convention of 1951. The dominant groups of applicants came from Balkans due to the war. In the subsequent years, some of those fleeing from the Balkans came to Poland upon invitation (and under organized arrivals) by the Polish authorities (such organized arrivals of people fleeing Balkan wars were held in years 1994 and 1995). In 1993, citizens of Bosnia constituted more than one half of all asylum seekers (554 out of 822); one year later, the largest group of applicants came from Armenia (257 out of 537 applications). In the late nineties, Poland accepted many applications of foreigners from Asia and Africa. In year 1996, the number of refugee status applications increased almost three times in comparison with the previous year, mainly due to foreigners coming from Sri Lanka and Afghanistan – who constituted the largest groups of asylum applicants for the several subsequent years. The group of Armenians was also very numerous: in 1998, among 3,423 refugee status applicants, the largest group – 1007 people – came from Armenia. After the outbreak of the 2nd war in Chechnya, the main country of origin of persons seeking asylum in Poland was the Russian Federation (Chechnya, but also other republics and countries of the Caucasus). On the average, every year, asylum applications are also filed by citizens of 60 other countries; in the last years, applicants from the Russian Federation have always constituted around 90 percent of asylum seekers. In year 2004, Poland registered a record-breaking number of refugee status application – this was a result of Poland’s accession to the European Union. Many foreigners hurried to file their application prior to May 1st, 2004, expecting difficulties in accessing the asylum procedures, when Poland became the EU member. The number of persons filing asylum applications is much greater than the number of foreigners who are really searching for protection in Poland – some persons file

20

their applications more than once (such practice has been used for years). Many foreigners file their applications again after being refused refugee status and obtaining the tolerated stay permit, in order to get the social benefits, to which the applicants are entitled. Social assistance for foreigners with the tolerated stay permit is very limited and it does not satisfy even the basic needs of the foreigners, particularly families with children. In year 2006, in relation to the general number of 7093 people subject to refugee status application, only 4430 filed such applications for the first time. A similar differentiation for the previous years, however, is not available.

Asylum seekers (1.01-4.11.2007)12 Country

number of persons

Russia

5618

Belarus

62

Pakistan

57

Sri Lanka

46

Ukraine

45

India

42

Vietnam

37

Armenia

33

Bangladesh

26

Georgia

25

Iraq

25

Other

273

Total

6289

The second half of year 2007 brought a sudden increase in the number of foreigners who filed asylum applications in Poland – like before Poland’s accession to the European Union, foreigners now feared the consequences of joining the Schengen 12

  same as above

21

zone, planned for December 2007. The main country of origin of the asylum applicants in year 2007 was Russia (mainly Chechnya). Foreigners seeking asylum regularly came to Poland from Russia, Armenia, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. However, Poland also accepts persons searching for assistance who come from other, sometimes more distant or ‘exotic’ countries (there are countries, from which only one or two asylum seekers came to Poland in the last 15 years). Sometimes it is the opposite: the applicants come from countries in which the situation is commonly regarded to be stable. The international law assumes that every person has the right to apply for refugee status, and each case is to be examined individually. In the history of providing protection for refugees in Poland, there have been some surprising situations, for instance, applications filed by Americans or Germans. Some foreigners from such ‘stable countries’ were granted protection in Poland. In year 2007, among the less numerously represented countries of origin, there was China, Nigeria, Kyrgyzstan, Cameroon, Moldova, Mongolia, Turkey, Afghanistan, Algeria, West Bank and Gaza Strip, Azerbaijan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Guinea, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Senegal, Ethiopia, Congo, Lithuania, Angola, Iran, Syria, Uganda, Bhutan, Burundi, Eritrea, Mali, Somalia, Sudan, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Columbia, North Korea, Liberia, Latvia, unspecified, Serbia, Togo, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Republic of Macedonia, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Jordan, Kenya, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone and Tunisia (listed according to the number of applicants from each country).

Asylum applications according to gender and age

girls < 5 girls 5–17 women 18–59 women > 60 men > 60 men 18–59 boys 5–17 boys < 5

22

Only since year 2003, data on gender and age of asylum seekers have been gathered in Poland. The group of asylum seekers is dominated by men (this tendency has been maintained for several years now). However, while in the eighties and the nineties there were many cases in which single men come to Poland, today, a typical foreigner applying for protection is a family member – on the average, a family with two children. In years 2003-2005, the percentage of children and youth increased substantially: this group constituted 40.9 percent of the population in year 2003, 43.7 percent – in 2004, 45.9 percent in year 200513. Many refugees declare that they left their country because of the children. The adults often do not expect to find ‘a new home’ in the country, to which they emigrate. They hope, however, that this experience will be shared by their children. If it is so, the perspectives for integration of refugees in Poland are very good, since the population seeking asylum is very young.

Total number of asylum seekers

Number of children aged 5 or less

Percentage of children aged 5 or less in the entire population

Number of children aged 5 to 17

Including boys aged 5-17

Including girls aged 5-17

Percentage of children aged 5-17 in the population

Table 4. Children and youth among asylum seekers in Poland in years 2003-200514

2003

6909

1090

15,8

1735

947

788

25,1

2004

8079

1493

18,4

2046

1107

939

25,3

2005

6860

1434

20,9

1720

940

780

25,0

  Data of the Office for Foreigners, more recent data is not available.   Data of the Office for Foreigners, more recent data is not available.

13 14

23

2006: number of minor foreigners applying for refugee status (on their own or with their parents or guardians)

children aged 5 or less – 20.9 percent (1434 of 6860) children aged 5-17-25 percent (1720 of 6860) Children and young people constitute more than 45 percent of all asylum seekers. They include children and young people who came to Poland without their parents and guardians. Since the first year, when Poland started accepting asylum applications, the group of applicants included the foreigner unaccompanied minors who were not accompanied by an adult guardian. Statistics show that this group of applicants – unaccompanied minors – are minors independently filing asylum applications. In the recent years, however, a thorough analysis of the data available has been difficult. According to the Office for Foreigners, the number of “unaccompanied minors” has included three categories of children and youth: • children and youth who come to Poland without their parents or guardians, • children and youth who come without their parents, but under the care of their relatives or friends, • children born in Poland after their parents had filed asylum applications (a separate application is then filed in the name of the newborn). Since all statistics data treat these groups jointly, it is difficult to asses, to what extent the right of unaccompanied children to special treatment, provided by the act on protection of aliens, is being implemented in Poland – inter alia, the act entitles children to being investigated under special conditions, in the presence of a psychologist. The Nobody’s Children Foundation (where, since 2003, on the basis of the agreement with the Office for Repatriation and Foreigners, unaccompanied minors seeking asylum have been investigated) informs that in year 2004, 38 interviews in such special conditions were held (including 15 with children from Chechnya, 7 with Ukrainian children and 6 – with minors from Afghanistan), while in year 2005 – 22 interviews (data for year 2006 is not available yet). Due to lack of satisfactory data on the group of unaccompanied minors, it is not possible to assess, whether all the children in need of such treatment have it provided.

24

Table 5: Unaccompanied minors seeking asylum(2002-2006)15 Year

asylum seekers

recognized refugees

persons granted the tolerated stay permit

1992

23

bd

-

1993

42

bd

-

1994

20

19

-

1995

40

2

-

1996

409

1

-

1997

461

6

-

1998

297

bd

-

1999

50

bd

-

2000

69

2

-

2001

80

bd

-

2002

212

19

-

2003

213

20

-

2004

211

31

40

2005

131

12

57

2006

269

bd

bd

The main country of origin of the unaccompanied minors applying on their own for refugee status is the Russian Federation (Chechnya). In year 2006, among 269 unaccompanied minors, 254 came from Chechnya. In years 2001-2002, the main countries of origin of the unaccompanied minors were Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iraq, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Since 2001, majority of minors applying for asylum have been citizens of the Russian Federation. Among these, children under care of their parents or guardians dominate: they are accompanied by guardians other than their parents or born in Poland and thus not included in the status application of the parents. Data of the Office for Foreigners (quoted after UNHCR).

  Data of the Office for Foreigners (quoted on the basis of UNHCR file)

15

25

Recognized refugees Since year 1992 until November 4th, 2007, refugee status in Poland was obtained by 3,152 refugees (including 2,993 in years 1992-2006). Taking into account each applicant in these years (including those who filed the application again), 5 percent of foreigners who applied for protection in Poland, were granted refugee status. Since 2003, when a new form of protection for foreigners was introduced in Poland – the tolerated stay permit – every fifth foreigner applying for refugee status has been granted protection: 4.5 percent of the applicants have received refugee status, and 18 percent –tolerated stay permits.

Foreigners granted protection in Poland (2003-2006)

4.5 percent – recognized refugees, 18 percent – f oreigners granted the tolerated stay permit

The greatest number of recognized refugees, analogically to the number of foreigners applying for status, come from the Russian Federation.

26

Table 6. Main countries of origin of recognized refugees in years 1992-4.11.2007.16 Country RUSSIA BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA SOMALIA BELARUS SRI LANKA AFGHANISTAN ETHIOPIA IRAQ SUDAN LEBANON SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO GEORGIA SYRIA IRAN TURKEY LAOS RUANDA CAMEROON LIBERIA PAKISTAN ARMENIA ROMANIA CONGO, DEMOKRATIC REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN WEST BANK AND GAZA STRIP ALGERIA CONGO UKRAINE UZBEKISTAN CUBA SIERRA LEONE BHUTAN TADJIKISTAN STATELESS Other TOTAL

16

Number of refugees from this country, granted refugee status in Poland from 1992 and 4.11.2007 1798 390 213 115 76 74 65 41 35 27 25 22 21 20 20 17 16 15 15 15 13 10 9 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 20 26 3158

  same as above

27

Although refugee status has been granted in Poland for 15 years, and tolerated stay permit – for less than four years now, the number of foreigners who have been granted the latter form of protection, is greater.

Table 7. Main countries of origin of foreigners who have been granted tolerated stay permit in Poland (2003-2006)17 Country RUSSIA VIETNAM ARMENIA UKRAINE BELARUS AFGHANISTAN NIGERIA IRAQ TURKEY PAKISTAN ALGERIA INDIA BULGARIA SOMALIA CHINA EGYPT SRI LANKA CAMEROON MONGOLIA AZERBAIJAN MOROKO WEST BANK AND GAZA STRIP BANGLADESH GEORGIA LEBANON LIBYA PERU ROMANIA SYRIA TUNISIA CONGO STATELESS OTHER RAZEM    same as above

17

28

Number of foreigners 4672 132 94 63 41 38 35 34 24 22 20 20 19 15 13 12 9 8 8 7 7 7 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 16 40 5404

In year 2006, among 7,093 foreigners applying for refugee status, 423 were granted this status.

Asylum decisions (2006)18

asylum seekers

Number of persons

recognized refugees

485

cudzoziemcy, którzy uzyskali zgodę na pobyt tolerowany

2048

cudzoziemcy, którym odmówiono statusu uchodźcy

936

Foreigners whose applications were not considered

3875

Left unconsidered are usually applications of foreigners whose place of residence could not be located. In practice, these are mainly foreigners who leave the territory of Poland during the refugee status determination procedure..

18

  same as above

29

Table 8: Refugees and foreigners subject to subsidiary protection (2006) 2006

Nationality

Total number of persons granted the tolerated stay permit

Number of persons granted the tolerated stay permit after being refused refugee status

AFGHANISTAN

--

3

3

ALGERIA

--

--

--

ARMENIA

--

6

1

AZERBAIJAN

7

--

--

BANGLADESH

--

2

2

BELARUSS

23

8

5

STATELESS

--

1

--

CHINA

--

3

2

ETHIOPIA

1

--

--

GEORGIA

--

1

--

GUINEA

--

1

--

INDIA

--

2

1

IRAQ

1

9

9

KAZAKHSTAN

--

1

1

CONGO

1

--

--

LEBANON

--

1

--

NEPAL

--

1

1

PAKISTAN

--

3

--

437

2077

2076

--

2

2

SOMALIA

2

1

1

SRI LANKA

--

4

4

SYRIA

4

1

1

TOGO

--

1

1

TURKEY

6

--

--

UKRAINE

1

2

--

UZBEKISTAN

2

--

--

VIETNAM

--

3

--

485

2133

2110

RUSSIA SENEGAL

TOTAL

30

Number of persons granted refugee status

While statistical information available on asylum seekers in Poland is relatively complex, information on the fates of recognized refugees is very scarce. There are no registration mechanisms or any other means of finding out, how many refugees recognized in Poland still live in this country, not to mention any more detailed data concerning them.

31

Chapter 2: Integration of foreigners in Poland The Polish language – basis for integration Education and professional competences of foreigners Refugees and persons granted the tolerated stay permit on the Polish labor market Availability of accommodation for recognized refugees Individual Integration Programmes for recognized refugees (Governmental) social assistance programmes for refugees and persons granted the tolerated stay permit NGO integration programmes for refugees and persons granted the tolerated stay permit

The Polish language – basis for integration The basis for any kind of integration is knowledge of the host country – such is the opinion of persons responsible for integration of foreigners both in Poland and in other countries. However, in Poland, knowledge of the Polish language among refugees remains low – even after many months or even years spent in Poland. All asylum seekers have the right to attend free Polish language lessons, held at the reception centers. In some situations, the number or quality of these are a controversial issue, but not many foreigners take advantage even of this limited educational offer, rendered available. Often, out of one hundred adults living at the reception center, only two to three take advantage of the lessons. This leads to substantial problems, when the foreigner is granted protection and has to start living independently outside the refugee reception center.

Table 9. Polish language education at refugee reception centers (2005-2007)19 Number Number of of children adults attending attending Polish lessons Polish lessons at the reception at the reception centers centers

Average number of inhabitants of reception centers

Number of children at school age (aged 6 to 18) constituting about 25% of the population

2005

3115

779

356

n.a.

2006

3462

n.a.

391

n.a.

2007

4658

867

496

119

Children applying for refugee status, attending Polish language courses at the refugee reception centers in 2007 came mostly from Chechnya (490 students) and Belarus (2 students), Russia (3) and Georgia (1). In the group of students, the number of boys was slightly higher (264 in comparison with 232 girls).   Data pertaining to the average number of inhabitants for years 2005 and 2006, quoted after the annual reports of UNHCR, data for year 2007 rendered accessible by the Office for Foreigners. Data on foreigners taking advantage of lessons provided by this Office. 19

34

Among the adult students, the diversity of countries of origin of the students is greater. Among 119 students, 89 came from Chechnya, others – from Belarus (6 persons), Sri Lanka and Bangladesh (5 persons each), Pakistan (3 persons), Ukraine, Iraq, Nigeria and Congo (2 persons each), as well as Russia, Georgia and Cameroon (one person from each country). The dominance of men in the group of adult students is significant. In year 2007, 79 men and 41 women took advantage of Polish lessons. Asylum seekers were asked about their knowledge of Polish (and other languages) within the framework of the project “Education for integration” in 2005. Presented below are the questionnaire results in this regard:

Table 10: Declared knowledge of foreign languages among asylum seekers in Poland (2005)* Good in speech and writing

Good in speech, poor in writing

Good in writing, poor in speech

Good in speech

Good in writing

słabo

Russian

91

3

-

23

3

3

Chechen

88

11

1

22

-

-

Polish

4

2

1

1

-

36

English

4

2

-

2

2

8

German

4

1

1

1

-

6

* The table provides the number of people declaring knowledge of a given language. Answers were provided by the total of 140 respondents.

The report also indicates that a slightly better knowledge of foreign languages (several percentage points) is declared by women.

35

Knowledge of Polish among asylum seekers within the framework of the project “Education for Integration” in 2005

66% of respondents know the polite expressions

53% – understand the general sense of utterances

27% – understand most utterances

The results of research conducted in 2005 in four refugee reception centers (Lublin, Radom, Łuków and Czerwony Bór)20 among the persons of Chechen nationality show that only one out of ten respondents writes in Polish, 17 percent are able to read a Polish text, 27 percent understand most statements, 33 percent use Polish in everyday life, 53 percent understand the general sense of statements in Polish, while 66 percent declare they only know the polite expressions in Polish. The research results show that – unlike it could be expected – the length of the period of stay at the reception center does not influence the level of knowledge of the language: good knowledge of Polish is declared by 14% of persons who have been staying at the reception centers for less than 6 months, and 18 % of those   Report on the project “Education for integration”, summarizing the results of the survey conducted at the reception centers for persons applying for refugee status, the Law Clinic of Jagiellonian University, Volunteer Center Association in Lublin, Legal Counselling Center at the Catholic University of Lublin, Krakow 2005. 20

36

who have spent more than 6 months at the reception centers. For most refugees, Polish lessons start only after they leave the reception center. Learning Polish language to the extent allowing them at least to communicate is the most important issue allowing refugees for integration in Poland; however, analysis of the Individual Integration Programmes shows that 25% of refugees subjected to these programmes do not attend the Polish language courses at all21. It is partially due to lack of availability of such courses in towns inhabited by refugees. However, the refugees themselves often give up learning – explaining it is due to travel costs being too high or due to their bad health condition. Like in the case of other types of support for refugees and other groups of migrant, the best Polish language offer awaits the group of students in Warsaw. Polish language courses, combined with classes on the Polish culture and elements of occupational orientation for recognized refugees implementing the Individual Integration Programmes in Warsaw and nearby districts and for persons granted the tolerated stay permit are conducted by „Linguae Mundi” Foreign Languages Foundation. Classes have been organized since the end of year 2004 within the framework of the subsequent projects of the Mazovian Voivodship from the resources of the European Refugee Fund. In year 2006, 48 refugees attended these courses. Additionally, several NGOs conduct Polish language courses for foreigners (e.g. PAH Refugee Counselling Center, Caritas, FuShenfu Migrant Center). In other cities, new proposals for foreigners are emerging as well: for instance, “Arka” Youth Center in Radom is engaged in Polish lessons. However, the scope of lessons offered outside Warsaw is much less abundant. According to the Report on implementation in 2006 of the individual integration programmes (IPI) in the Mazovian region22, among 123 foreigners implementing the integration programmes in this region, 62 persons participated in the lessons. 7 persons did not due to the fact they knew the Polish language sufficiently. Among 62 refugees taking advantage of the lessons: • 48 persons studied at the „Linguae Mundi” Foundation in Warsaw; • 5 persons – thanks to volunteers from “Arka” Youth Center in Radom; • 3 persons – thanks to „Via” Foundation in Warsaw; • 2 persons – thanks to volunteers;

  Chrzanowska A., Klaus W, Integracja i pomoc społeczna wobec uchodźców w Polsce. Wyniki badań aktowych, [Integration and social assistance for refugees in Poland. Results of file research], Association of Legal Intervention, Analizy Raporty Eksper­tyzy no. 8/2007; page 16 22   report available on the Web page http://www.Mazowieckie.pl/wps/uchodzcy 21

37

• 1 person at the Intercultural Center for Occupational Adaptation in Warsaw; • 1 person at the Association “Creative Seniors, Let’s Do It Together” in Pruszków • 1 person at the Polish Humanitarian Action Foundation • 1 person through work for the organization “Doctors Without Borders”.

Table 11. Refugees and foreigners granted tolerated stay permits – students of Polish language courses at „Linguae Mundi”23 Year

Number of students

Number of persons granted refugee status or a tolerated stay permit in a given year

Percentage of persons entitled (subject to protection) attending lessons

2005

136

2408

5,6

2006

128

2556

5,0

2007

Above 220

n.a.

n.a.

Although it is difficult to draw explicit conclusions from the above, it shows that a great part of foreigners who have been granted protection in Poland, do not learn Polish. Social workers inform that it is the result of the fact that recognized refugees and persons with tolerated stay status leave to other EU countries – or they intend to do so, which discourages them to undertake Polish lessons. „Linguae Mundi”, on the other hand, points out the increase in the number of foreigners attending lessons „absolutely voluntarily” – persons with tolerated stay status who are not obliged to participate on the basis of the Individual Integration Programme. In year 2007, out of 220 students, 48 had been granted a tolerated stay permit (172 students were recognized refugees). „Linguae Mundi” also indicates the unequal gender representation among the foreigner students. In year 2007, men constituted 70 percent of course participants.

  Data of “Linguae Mundi” Foundation, presented on November 23rd, 2007 during the conference of the Voivode of Mazowsze, summarizing the project co-financed by the European Refugee Fund. 23

38

Education of refugees Almost three fifths (58%) of Poles perceive granting of refugee status as the possibility of getting skilled and educated people, according to the results of the public opinion poll conducted in 2006 by TNS OBOP. There is no complex research on the occupational competences of recognized refugees; however, there are several research projects and analyses dealing with the subject. We are presenting several of these – however, the results are not fully coherent. Thinking of refugee and foreigner integration over the long term, it is necessary to consider not only the occupational competences and education level of adults, which they obtained in their countries of origin, but also (or perhaps in the first place) – access of the foreigners, including children, to education in Poland. Therefore, this part of the study presents the following: data on education of minor asylum seekers and children granted protection in Poland, information on education and occupational qualifications of adult asylum seekers and recognized refugees, as well as information on occupational trainings available for refugees and other groups of foreigners granted protection.

Education of children In the recent years, the access of asylum seeking children and children subject to protection to Polish schools has improved substantially. However, this pertains mostly to access to elementary education. Foreigners still find it difficult to continue their education at higher levels, mostly due to lack of sufficient knowledge of Polish that would enable them to study, because of long breaks in education (which is a particularly significant problem in the case of teenagers), as well as the Polish educational system itself, which does not release refugees and other foreigners from the obligation to pass standard exams (which are run in the Polish language).

39

Year

Average number of refugee center inhabitants (including children at school age)

Number of students enrolled at elementary schools

Number of students of grammar schools

Number of secondary school students

Number of university students

Number of doctoral students

Table 12. Education of asylum seeking children and youth in Polish schools

2003/4

n.a.

49

15

0

n.a.

n.a.

2004/5

n.a.

63

2

0

n.a.

n.a.

2005/6

3115 (725)

3

19

n.a.

2006/7

3462 (766)

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

2007/8

4658 (867)

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

314 33 (255 completed (23 completed the school the school year) year) 577

69 836

The Educational Information System has been collecting data on education of refugees and children applying for refugee status and granted the tolerated stay status since September 2007 only. Therefore the data on education is fragmentary and incomplete. The problem associated with available statistics is also their incoherence. Even data provided by the same institution are not consistent – in various breakdowns, different numbers are quoted to illustrate the same issue. Relatively coherent information on education of children applying for refugee status in the recent years has been provided by the Office for Foreigners – the above table shows a great increase in the percentage of children using educational services in the period of applying for refugee status. According to data of the OfF, in year 2001, only 10 percent children living in refugee centers attended schools. In September 2007, 96 percent of these children were enrolled in elementary or grammar schools. Despite the problems associated with absences of foreign students and various difficulties with effective use of the offered education by children applying for refugee status, a quick and systematic increase in the number of children enrolled in the Polish schools is a success in itself.

40

There is no data in Poland on the children who are recognized refugees, and children granted the tolerated stay permit in the Polish schools. The available information pertains to the general number of all foreign children, regardless of their legal status.

Including those with permanent residence permit

Including those from countries outside the EU

Children and youth from EU countries

Adults from countries outside EU

Elementary school

1810

730

1500

1500

0

Grammar school

671

368

577

575

2

General secondary schools

525

279

429

390

39

Profile-oriented secondary schools

27

23

25

25

0

Basic vocational schools

19

13

17

16

1

Secondary vocational schools

84

48

72

66

6

Art vocational colleges

22

18

18

18

0

Teacher education institutions

21

8

11

8

3

Postsecondary schools

298

158

276

43

233

3477

1645

2925

2641

284

Education level

Number of all foreign students

Table 13: Foreign students at Polish schools24

All levels

Students from other countries take advantage of education mostly in large urban centers. Among 2925 students from outside the EU countries, 1,219 (42 percent) took advantage of education in the Mazowieckie voivodship. In the other voivodships, the number of foreign students is much lower (although they are present   Data of Central Statistical Office for school year 2005/2006. More recent data is not available. 24

41

everywhere). According to data of the Central Statistical Office for year 2005, larger groups of foreign students were found in the following voivodships: lubelskie (242), pod­laskie (227), śląskie (207), dolnośląskie (202), małopolskie (198). It is worth noting that in the three leading voivodships, all refugee reception centers in Poland are located as well. While preparing this breakdown, the authors did not obtain any information concerning the nationality of foreign students throughout the country. Such data are available on the local level, from the Board of Education in Warsaw. Also, information presents the countries of origin of the students, without specifying their legal status. Therefore, data to indicate how many of the students mentioned in the table are refugees or persons granted the tolerated stay permit remain unknown.

Foreign students in Warsaw area in school year 2005/200625

25

42

Country

number of students

Vietnam

341

Ukraine

268

Russian Federation/ Chechnya

178

Great Britain

112

Armenia

78

Russian Federation

61

Germany

50

Belarus

50

South Korea

48

Mongolia

45

  Data of the Board of Education in Warsaw, quoted after the Migration Bulletin.

Warsaw Family Assistance Center, which conducts integration programmes for recognized refugees (in 2006, 91 refugee families received this assistance in year 2006 – in total, 246 persons, which constitutes 58 percent of all 423 refugees recognized this year) has information on education of refugee children under its care.

Refugee children encompassed by the integration programme of WCFA, which took advantage of education services: 2006

82% of refugee children took advantage of education services

In year 2006, among 116 refugee children (including 108 from Chechnya, 7 from Belarus and one from another country), there were 49 children at school age (including 43 from Chechnya and 4 from Belarus). Nine children from this group did not attend school. According to information provided by the employees of WCFA, teenagers – particularly girls – often tend to give up education. The Association of Legal Intervention in its report on refugee integration26 provides even more optimistic data, pointing to the high level of attendance among these students. According to the LIA, in the group of recognized refugee children, 94.12 percent of children enrolled at elementary schools, 90.48 children enrolled at grammar schools and 100 percent of the youth enrolled at schools above grammar level take advantage of education services. Unfortunately, there is no information available in Poland on education of refugees and persons granted the tolerated stay permit at the higher education levels. As it has been shown in the table illustrating the number of refugees in Poland on page 12, in 2006, there were more than 10 thousand foreign students in total at the Polish universities. According to information provided by NGOs supporting refugees, this group includes at least several refugee students. However, no systematic data are available in this respect.   Chrzanowska A., Klaus W, Integracja i pomoc społeczna wobec uchodźców w Polsce. Wyniki badań aktowych, [Integration and social assistance for refugees in Poland. Results of file research], Association of Legal Intervention, Analizy Raporty Eksper­tyzy no. 8/2007; page 16 26

43

Education and occupational competences of adults Information on education and occupational competences of adult refugees is gathered for those refugees who take advantage of the Individual Integration Programmes (see page 61-69). Relevant data have been rendered accessible by three voivodships, while some others informed that such data were not collected and analyzed at all, and therefore they could not be made available.

Table 14: Education of the head of the family (person filing the application for the integration programme) implementing the IPI in year 200527 Number of refugees Mazowieckie voivodship

Number of refugees Lubelskie voivodship

Number of refugees Małopolskie voivodship

University

22

11

1

Incomplete university

3

-

-

Secondary

53

15

4

Technical secondary

10

-

-

Vocational secondary

4

4

1

Incomplete secondary

4

1

-

Vocational

-

2

1

Elementary

19

8

2

Incomplete elementary

2

-

-

No education

3

-

-

No data

24

-

1

Total:

144

41

10

Declared education

  Data provided by the Departments of Social Policy of the Mazowieckie, Lubelskie and Małopolskie Voivodship Offices. 27

44

Analysis of the above information on qualifications of recognized refugees taking advantage of integration assistance in the three voivodships shows that 17 percent of these have university education, 45 percent have secondary education, while 17 percent are persons with no education (who completed elementary school only). Data provided by the Departments of Social Policy of the Voivodship Offices of Małopolskie and Lubelskie for year 2006 on the group of foreigners taking advantage of social assistance (including refugees who have completed their integration programmes, and persons granted the tolerated stay permits) show a similar percentage of persons with university and secondary education (17 and 47 percent respectively). On the other hand, the number of persons with elementary or lower education was much greater in this group – out of 57 foreigners taking advantage of integration programmes in these voivodships in year 2006 , 13 declared no education or at most – elementary school (22 percent). In year 2005, under the project “You can learn to understand – MUR”, coordinated by the Polish Humanitarian Organization (PAH)28 and conducted thanks to the Equal Fund, two researchers, who have been dealing with refugee issues for years –Sławomir Łodziński, Ph. D. and Maciej Ząbek, Ph. D., conducted an analysis of problems and expectations of asylum seekers in Poland. It shows that the examined community (interviews conducted at four reception centers for refugees) is relatively well educated. Only 14 percent of the respondents declared having elementary education, almost 60% declared having secondary education (59,5%; 119), 15,5 % – higher than secondary education (31 persons) with bachelor degree, and 10.1% – university education (20). The researchers point, however, to the differences in the educational systems in Poland and in countries of origin of the respondents, which makes it difficult to assess their qualifications. “A relatively high level of formal education of the examined persons, however, is not reflected in their particular vocational skills. Only one out of six respondents (16,2%; 32 persons) declared having special vocational skills, confirmed by a special certificate. The remaining respondents had no such skills (83,8%, 165 persons)”’, write the report authors. The results of other research projects conducted in this regard by participants of the project “Education for Integration”, also financed by the Equal Fund, show that the foreigners demonstrate a low education level.

  Other partners were the International Organization for Migration, the Polish Association for Legal Education, Halina Niec Human Rights Association, Office for Foreigners and the Department of Social Policy of the Mazowieckie Voivodship Office. 28

45

Table 15 Declared profession of asylum seekers29 Type of work performed in their country of origin

Number of answers

Percent

Physical labor

51 (15)

59

Mental work

31 (21)

36

Secondary education

3 (1)

4

Student

1 (0)

1

According to the above information, 59 percent of respondents were physical laborers in their country of origin. The survey also showed a relatively high number of women engaged in office work in the past (2/3 of respondents engaged in such work were women). Taking into account the fact that the qualifications of refugees are their advantage to start integration in Poland, we can regret that data in this respect are not being systematically collected in all the voivodships. As the researchers point out, the analysis of abilities and skills of foreigners should serve as a starting point for planning any support in terms of their integration. The available data shows a discrepancy between reality (as illustrated by figures) and the refugee stereotype as a person completely unprepared to undertake work. The percentage of educated persons among refugees is relatively high.

Vocational trainings for refugees and persons with tolerated stay status • Vocational and additional courses for refugees and persons granted the tolerated stay permit, organized by state institutions Recognized refugees and persons granted the tolerated status have the right to participate in courses organized by the Polish labor clubs, Labor Offices and other state institutions organizing courses and trainings of this kind as part of assistance for the unemployed searching for jobs. As it has been 29

46

  Data quoted on the basis of “Education for Integration” report

shown by the data presented below, foreigners take advantage of support of this type sporadically. The most significant obstacle is the language barrier – the courses are organized for the Polish unemployed and thus they are conducted in Polish. Therefore, not too many foreigners are able to attend them. According to research conducted in April and May 2007 by the Association of Legal Intervention, in 2006, 360 of the entitled foreigners were registered as unemployed. Out of these, 27 were provided trainings to raise their professional qualifications, financed from the means of the labor offices or organized by the office (7.5% of all those registered), 6 persons received a single-time subsidy for initiation of their own business activity, 10 persons started working thanks to the agency of the Poviat Labor Office (less than 3% of those registered), while another 3 unemployed foreigners were directed to undergo training at the employers’, without signing the contract of employment during this period.30

  Migranci na polskim rynku pracy. Rzeczywistość, problemy, wyzwania, ed. W Klaus, Association of Legal Intervention, Warsaw 2007, page 21 30

47

2005

Unemployed foreigners

Foreigners searching for employment

Specification

Unemployed foreigners

Foreigners searching for employment

Table 16. Foreigners searching for jobs and unemployed foreigners who completed or participated in active labor market programmes in years 2005-200631

2006

Persons who: Completed a training

10

54

0

88

Completed an internship

x

3

x

25

Completed an apprenticeship at workplace

x

6

x

16

Completed intervention works

x

12

x

133

Completed public works

x

8

x

12

Completed public utility works*)

x

-

x

9

Took advantage of job search counseling

16

127

10

158

Completed a labor club training on active job search

0

0

0

0

Participated in activation activities

0

7

1

10

x – means that the person searching for work was not entitled to take advantage of a given form of activation *) Data on participants of public utility works has been gathered since 2006.

  Data of the Department of Labor Market of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, delivered to the PMF for the needs of the present report. Information on foreigners, who are unemployed and searching for a job are collected once a year – more recent data is not available. There is no information on types of courses completed by foreigners and the legal status of foreigners. 31

48

The Labor Office of the Capital City of Warsaw has more precise data on refugees participating in courses for the unemployed. In years 2006-2007, trainings organized by the LO in Warsaw were attended by 10 unemployed foreigners subject to international protection (including 5 refugees and 5 persons granted tolerated stay permits). Refugees took part in English language course (1 person), real estate management course (1 person), welding course using MAG/MIG method (1 person), “HR and payroll” course (1 person) and company goodwill management/ Public relations course (1 person). Foreigners with tolerated stay permits took part in a course for plasterers in laying decorative plasters (4 persons) and welding course (1 person). Taking into account the number of persons subject to protection in this period (without taking into account those encompassed by the tolerated stay permit in year 2007 – their number at the moment of publishing of the present publication remains unknown), courses of the Labor Offices were attended by 0.3 percent of those entitled. • Professional and auxiliary trainings organized by NGOs in years 20062007 (information encompasses trainings organized until October 2007) Almost all vocational courses organized for refugees and other groups of foreigners by NGOs are conducted thanks to the European funds. The NGOs themselves signal lack of satisfactory cooperation and coordination with regard to the topics of the courses organized. Sometimes, the courses organized do not provide the expected certificates or skills due to their limited duration.

49

Computer skills (basic)

28

Computer skills – advanced

22

Driving license category B

60

Driving license category D

4

Tour guide

10

Hairdresser

10

x

-

x

Manicure Massage (basic)

20

Massage (advanced)

10

Cash register maintenance Fashion design and sewing

Security guards course

Foundation VIA

x x

Storage manager with forklift truck operation certificate Construction finishing works

PCK (Equal, project @ltercamp)

PAH (Equal, project MUR)

Course type

MCAZ (Equal)

Table 17. Vocational and additional courses organized by NGOs in years 2006-200732

x x

x

x x

Crosses stand for courses offered, figures indicate the number of participants if the information was available.

32

50

  Data obtained from individual organizations

Complex data on the group of beneficiaries of vocational and auxiliary trainings offered by all organizations are unavailable. Information of this type has been provided only by the Intercultural Center for Vocational Adaptation, whose core activity is the organization of such courses. The courses offered by the organization are available both for refugees and for other groups of migrants: foreigners granted the tolerated stay permit and persons repatriated to Poland (people with Polish roots). In the entire population attending the courses in years 2006-2007, almost one out of two persons had refugee status (49 percent), while 33.5 percent of participants had tolerated stay permits. In the group of beneficiaries of the courses taking into account in the above breakdown, women made up 48 percent. It is interesting that among the young people attending the courses (16-24), girls constituted more than two thirds of the participants. Only five participants were above 50 years of age (two women and three men). The main countries of origin of persons attending the trainings were Russia, mainly Chechnya (41 persons), Ukraine (19), Poland and Belarus (12 persons each), Kazakhstan (6), Turkey (4). The beneficiaries of the trainings also came from Mongolia, Afghanistan, Angola, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Nigeria and Sudan (3 persons each) and from 13 other countries. From November 2007 until the end of January 2008, the Center plans the following courses: manicure/ pedicure, installation of ceramic tiles, course for barmen and waiters, a forklift truck operator trainings, a cooking course and an accounting course.

Refugees and persons granted the tolerated stay permit on the Polish labor market Only recently, according to the public opinion poll conducted in 2006 by TNS OBOP upon order of the UNHCR, were two out of three Poles convinced that the inflow of refugees would result in an increased rate of unemployment in Poland. This situation changed dramatically, when Poles got the opportunity to work legally in other countries of the European Union. In year 2007, according to the declarations of the representatives of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, unemployment in Poland is practically eliminated. Foreigners have thus been encountering a new situation – there is great demand for their work.

51

However, significant problems and barriers blocking their access to legal work remain: their insufficient knowledge of their rights as employees, lack of knowledge of the Polish language and – often – lack of documents to confirm their qualifications.

Labor Office in Białystok – refugees registered as unemployed

Labor Office in Białystok – foreigners granted the tolerated stay permit registered as unemployed

Labor Office in Warsaw – refugees registered as unemployed

Labor Office in Warsaw – foreigners granted the tolerated stay permit registered as unemployed

Table 18 Refugees and foreigners granted tolerated stay permits registered as unemployed in Warsaw and Białystok (20012007)33

2001

2

-

n.a.

n.a.

2002

19

-

n.a.

n.a.

2003

4

-

n.a.

n.a.

2004

6

2

n.a.

n.a.

2005

13

-

14

3

2006

19

31

26

14

State as of 30.09.2007

n.a.

n.a.

62

39

Year

Like in the case of other data, there is no nationwide information on the fates of all recognized refugees in the context of the labor market. There is no consistent data collection among the institutions which are responsible for supporting the unemployed, including foreigners. Some institutions maintain detailed registers of their foreign beneficiaries, rendering access to non-confidential data. Other institutions do not differentiate between the status of nationals and refugees or they refuse to provide this kind of information.

  Data provided to the PMF by the Labor Office in Warsaw and the Labor Office in Białystok. 33

52

For instance, according to the Poviat Labor Office in Lublin, in the records of this institution, there are no foreigners who would have refugee status or tolerated stay permits. Information concerning the unemployed encompassed by these forms of protection is not available from the Municipal Labor Office in Lublin, either. Such data is available, though, from the Poviat Labor Office in Białystok and the Labor Office of the Capital City of Warsaw.

Table 19. Unemployed foreigners and foreigners from EU countries entitled to benefits in the period from January 2005 to August 2007.34 Registered foreigner unemployed

Including women

Registered foreigner unemployed who started working

Including women

2005

1306

743

366

217

2006

1779

991

552

311

I-VIII 2007

1364

737

456

252

Year

Similar data, describing unemployment among the refugees and persons granted tolerated stay permits on the national scale is not available. The Department of the Labor Market of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy has information on unemployed foreigners – however, refugees are not treated as a separate category in this breakdown. Within the framework of data collected for the purposes of public statistics, institutions responsible for the labor market do not collect information on the nationalities of foreigners – this type of data can be obtained from selected institutions only. Data regarding the presence of foreigners (especially refugees) on the labor market have been available since 2005. Information on registered unemployed foreigners in Warsaw, taking into account their legal status, is maintained by the Labor Office of the Capital City of Warsaw.35   Data provided to the PMF by the Labor Market Department of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy 35   A significant effect of registration of a refugee or a person granted the tolerated stay permit as unemployed is health insurance for the registered person and his/her family. Particularly for families with children, the fact of being registered and insured is a significant component of support in integration – integration is a difficult task for the healthy. For those, who are ill, it is even more difficult – they are unable to start work and they require more assistance due to their health condition. 34

53

Analysis of integration programmes shows that in Warsaw and its vicinity, almost 70 percent of recognized refugees settle, at least for the first year of their independent life in Poland, when they get integration support form the state.

Table 20.Unemployed foreigners in Warsaw 36

State as of

Number of foreigners

Refugee status

Tolerated stay permit

15

0

14

3

31.01.2005 r.

127

31.12.2005 r.

153

31.12.2006 r.

208

26

14

30.09.2007 r.

287

62

39

including

Table 21. Types of professional activity of refugees implementing integration programmes in the Mazowieckie voivodship in 200637 Type of activity

Number of Place of implementation foreigners of integration programmes

Refugees who got permanent jobs

10

Warsaw, Pruszków

Refugees who got casual jobs

5

Legionowo, Piaseczno, Pruszków, Warsaw

Refugees who completed vocational courses/ trainings

7

Warsaw

Refugees at post-productive or pre-retirement age

3

Warsaw

Refugees working as volunteers

2

Warsaw, Pruszków

Total

27

-

  Data of the Labor Office for the Capital City of Warsaw.   Data from the Report on implementation of Individual Integration Programmes in Mazowsze in year 2006, Department of the Social Policy of the Mazowieckie Voivodship Office , Warsaw 2007. 36 37

54

According to data provided by the Labor Office, 37 unemployed foreigners in Warsaw were from Russian Federation, 7 – from Belarus, single persons from other countries. The Mazowieckie Voivodship Office, in its annual report, provides data on the professional achievements of refugees taking advantage of integration programmes. It is notable that the number of persons listed in the above table is small. 27 foreigners who showed any professional activity within the framework of the integration programmes, constitute 16 percent of the group of refugees who asked for integration assistance (this group usually takes into account one of the parents in the case of a family). It means that the remaining part of the group of refugees was not professionally active during the integration programme – or they failed to communicate their professional activity to social workers, being engaged in illegal work.

Availability of accommodation for refugees The basic problem faced by refugees and foreigners granted the tolerated stay permit in Poland is lack of cheap apartments in those regions of Poland in which the foreigners would like to live (where they can hope for assistance of NGOs and their countrymen – that is, mostly in Warsaw).

Public housing In 2002, the authorities of the Warsaw Poviat signed an agreement which committed Warsaw – Centrum commune to provide 5 public flats each year for the needs of refugees. The qualification commission, consisting of representatives of authorities of the District, Warsaw – Centrum Commune and Warsaw Family Assistance Center selected 5 families to be granted apartments from the resources of Warsaw – Centrum Commune. All families got the apartments. In the subsequent years (2003 and 2004), due to the change in the administrative division of Warsaw and lack of the appropriate local law regulations with regard to the above, refugee assistance in form of guaranteed apartments was not implemented. Only on January 1st, 2005, the resolution of the Municipal Council of the

55

Capital City of Warsaw came into force (no. XLIII/1010/2004 of December 2nd, 2004) concerning the rules of renting of apartments included in the housing resources of the capital city of Warsaw. According to its provisions (§5, clause 1, letter e), apartments are rented to refugees from the housing resources of the City, if Warsaw Center for Family Assistance applies for rental. On the basis of the resolution for implementation of housing assistance for recognized refugees, 5 apartments annually are guaranteed. In the years 2005 – 2006, the qualification commissions consisting of the representatives of Warsaw Family Assistance Center, the Department of Social Policy of the Office of the Capital City of Warsaw and NGOs acting on behalf of refugees selected families to rent public apartments in Warsaw. Moreover, in 2005, the capital city of Warsaw, participating in the costs of construction of apartments by the Society of Social Housing of Praga Północ, expressed its readiness to provide refugees with the possibilities of rental of these apartments. Another five (new) apartments were presented to refugees, located at Zaokopowa street in Warsaw. These were rendered accessible upon recommendation issued by Warsaw Family Assistance Center. Persons applying for rental of apartments from the resources of the Society of Social Housing of Praga Północ were obliged to meet the general financial criteria in this regard (the appropriate income per household member and a necessity to pay a deposit). In year 2005, there were 10 families selected to receive accommodation assistance. Unfortunately, it was a single-time initiative of the Society.

56

Table 22. Families selected by the Family Assistance Center for rental of apartments from the resources of the City and the Society of Social Housing38

Country of origin (nationality)

Public housing

No. of house-hold members

Apartments from the Social Housing Society of Warsaw – Praga Północ

No. of house-hold members

Public housing

Country of origin (nationality)

No. of house-hold members

Country of origin (nationality)

Public housing

2006

Country of origin (nationality)

2005

No. of house-hold members

2002

Ethiopia

2

Russia (Chechen)

2

Russia (Chechen)

3

Russia (Chechen)

5

Somalia

5

Sri Lanka

6

Pakistan

2

Ethiopia

2

Yugoslavia (Albanian)

5

Ethiopia

1

Angola

1

Somalia and Belarus

4

Liberia

5

Cuba

2

Belarus

1

Sri Lanka

1

Russia (Chechen)

1

Russia (Chechen)

3

Stateless

3

Cameroon

4

In years 2002-2006, the total of 20 persons and families were selected to get the apartments (in total, 59 persons). Until publishing of the present publication, one family selected to get an apartment in year 2005 had not obtained it yet, as well as four families selected in year 2006. According to the Warsaw Family Assistance Center, the problem is long time of waiting for the apartment after the qualification. This period lasts from several to about a dozen months. From the perspective of refugees, housing assistance of this kind becomes thus inefficient. 38

  Data of Warsaw Family Assistance Center

57

The number of public housing apartments rendered accessible to refugees in the capital city is small in comparison with other voivodship capitals. The authorities of Warsaw treat refugees and other foreigners friendly, though. The table below presents the number of apartments provided for refugees in other cities of Poland.

Table 23. Public housing apartments and resources of the Public Housing Society according to country of origin in years 2001200739

Ethiopia

Somalia

Yugoslavia (Albanian nationality)

Liberia

Sri Lanka

Somalia and Belarus

Cameroon

Other

Total

Warsaw

Number of foreigners who received public housing apartments and Social Housing Society apartments in individual cities Russian Federation (Chechnya)

City

15

5

5

5

5

7

4

4

7

57

Lublin

8

8

Białystok

8

8

Gdańsk

0

Katowice

1

1

Kraków

4

4

Szczecin

1

1

Poznań Total

20

5

5

5

5

7

4

4

1

1

25

80

The “other” category covers foreigners from Russian Federation (Russia), Cuba, Pakistan, Angola, Belarus, stateless, Cameroon, Georgia, Bosnia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, an „foreigner of Arab origin” (according to authorities of one of the cities).   Data obtained from Municipal Offices in Lublin, Białystok, Katowice, Kraków and Gdańsk, from the Management Board of Public Housing Buildings and Apartments in Szczecin and from the Warsaw Family Assistance Center. 39

58

For the purpose of the present publication, other voivodship capitals were also asked about public housing accommodation for foreigners: Poznań, Gorzów Wielkopolski, Zielona Góra, Bydgoszcz, Toruń, Łódź, Kielce, Wrocław, Opole, Rzeszów. However, they provided no information.40

Where refugees live There is no official data concerning the place of residence of all recognized refugees and foreigners granted the tolerated stay permit in Poland. It is only possible to determine the place of residence of a refugee who takes advantage of an integration programme (the place of residence is decisive for the place of granting of social assistance). According to information concerning integration programmes (page 61), almost 70 percent of refugee families live in Mazowsze voivodship – since they take advantage of assistance here. The results of research conducted by the Association of Legal Intervention among the refugees implementing the integration programs show that 40% of refugees rent apartments on their own; 24.3% live together with their relatives who do not implement the integration programmes; 19.1% live at the refugee reception center; 7.8% rent apartments together with other foreigners; 7% live with the Poles, and 1.7% rent hotel rooms.41 The bad housing situations makes refugee integration difficult, particularly for persons who stay at the reception centers. The Association of Legal Intervention also points out that it is particularly difficult to rent apartments for persons who have been granted the tolerated stay permits (these foreigners are not entitled to integration assistance, to which recognized refugees are entitled, which puts them in a difficult economic situation). In the Mazowieckie voivodship in 2006, a large group of foreigners granted tolerated stay permits took advantage of the possibility to stay at the reception center for the period of 3 months after the completion of the refugee procedure;   Some municipal offices have informed of granting apartments from the resources of the Social Housing Society. The commune of Białystok in the years 2001-2007 granted 5 public housing apartments to repatriated foreigners; 1 was for 1 person from Russia and 4 were from 4 families (2 families of 2, 1 family of 3, 1 family of 4) from Kazakhstan. Seven flats of the public TBS sp. z o.o. in Białystok were rented to 28 repatriated foreigners from Kazakhstan. The city of Katowice in the years 2001-2007 granted a single apartment from the municipal resources to a family from Kyrgyzstan of the Polish origin. The city of Krakow in the years 2001-2007 granted 18 apartments for repatriated families from the East. 41   Chrzanowska A., Klaus W, Integracja i pomoc społeczna wobec uchodźców w Polsce.Wyniki badań aktowych, [Integration and social assistance for refugees in Poland. Results of file research], Association of Legal Intervention, Analizy Raporty Eksper­tyzy no. 8/2007; page 15 40

59

Place of residence of foreigners with tolerated stay permit42

Place of residence of families with tolerated stay permit Living at the reception center

38,9

Flat rent independently

29,5

Flat part rent (living together with the owner)

6,3

Refugee Home of the Polish Humanitarian Organization

5,3

Apartment rented with other foreigners, not related

4,2

Part of apartment rendered accessible free of charge

3,2

Night shelter

3,2

Apartment rent with more distant relatives

2,1

Room rent (in a building with rooms for rent)

1,1

42

60

%

  same as above

The Refugee Home of the Polish Humanitarian Organization mentioned in the table is the only non-governmental refugee reception center in Poland. It is maintained by the Center for Refugee Assistance of the Polish Humanitarian Organization; it is designated for refugees who are in a particularly difficult situation, both those applying for refugee status (e.g. waiting for the decision of the 3rd instance, when they are no longer entitled to stay at the state –owned reception center), recognized refugees and persons granted the tolerated stay permit. Open in 1996, it can accommodate 30 persons at a time. In 2006, the total of 179 persons took advantage of accommodation at the Refugee Home: 56 women, 54 men and 69 children. The average time of stay at the Home was about 3 months. In the years 1999 -2002 the Polish Humanitarian Organization also conducted the “flats for refugees allotted on a rotation basis” programme, and about 300 people took advantage of it – 8 flats in 1999, 14 in 2000, 20 in 2001, 9 in 2002. For many years, the Refugee Home operated thanks to financial support of the UNHCR; later – thanks to funds of the Voivode of the Mazowsze region.

Individual integration programmes for recognized refugees According to the Polish legislation, integration assistance in Poland is provided only to recognized refugees. The type of support is defined in the act of March 12th, 2004 on social assistance (Journal of Laws of 2004, no. 64, item 593 as amended) and the ordinance of the Minister of Social Policy of September 29th, 2005 on providing assistance to refugees (Journal of Laws of 2005, no. 201, item 1669). The predecessor of this secondary legislation act was the ordinance of the Minister of Labor and Social Policy of December 1st, 2000 (Journal of Laws of 2000 No. 109, item 1160 as amended), which allowed for launching of integration assistance for refugees – the first integration programmes were initiated in 2001. Initially, a significant problem were delays in payment of benefits; in time, however, this issue was resolved satisfactorily. In accordance with the act on social assistance, the relevant voivode is responsible for coordination of the process of integration of persons who have been granted refugee status. The legal provisions also state that assistance to refugees in the integration process is a task belonging to the scope of government administration, implemented by the poviat. Thus, entities responsible for supporting refugees are the Poviat Family Assistance Centers (PCPR). The PCPR employee conducts a

61

social enquiry report with the refugee and their family, and then they determine together the type of support needed and the form of the Individual Integration Programme (IPI). The programme specifies the scope and forms of integration assistance for a period not longer than 12 months, and the mutual commitments of the refugee and the PCPR. According to the ordinance on granting assistance to refugees of September 29th, 2005, the refugees are entitled to: • financial benefits for maintenance and covering of expenses associated with learning Polish, ranging from 446 PLN to 1 149 PLN per month per person; payment of the healthcare insurance premium as defined in the legal provisions on general insurance in the National Health Fund; • specialist counseling, particularly in the field of law, psychology and family support The commitments of the PCPR include: • providing the refugee with information on assistance provided in the programme and the conditions of its withdrawal or refusal; • cooperation with the refugee and supporting him/her in contacts with the local community, including establishing of communication with the appropriate social assistance office; • assistance in getting accommodation, if possible, in a protected apartment; • conducting social work together with the refugee, as well as other agreed activities due to the individual life situation of the refugee • recommendations of the employee, hereinafter referred to as the “programme implementator”, arranging the programme with the refugee and supporting the refugee in the period of the programme implementation. On the other hand, the refugee is obliged to: • register at the place of residence • register at the district labor office within the time period established in the programme and actively search for a job; • participate in obligatory Polish language courses, if necessary; • cooperate and contact the programme implementator within the specified time intervals, at least 2 times a month; • perform other activities as agreed with the implementator, due to the refugee’s individual situation • comply with the commitments undertaken in the programme.

62

Financial benefits for maintenance and covering of expenses associated with studying Polish are reduced after the first 6 months of implementation of the IPI, and their amount ranges from 446 PLN to 1149 PLN per month.43. However, sometimes, in the first three months of implementation of the IPI, refugees still live at the reception center and thus take advantage of the benefits guaranteed by the Office for Foreigners. In this situation, they receive the lowest IPI benefit of 446 PLN.

Table 24. Individual Integration Programmes in Poland (2004-2006)44 Number of IPP implemented

Number of IPI completed as planned

Number of IPI stopped prior to the planned date **

2004

167

56

39

2005

196

53

56

2006

244

72

46

* Some of the programmes were initiated in the previous years ** Programmes discontinued upon refugee’s request or when the refugee ceased to contact the PCPR.

Discontinued integration programmes

18,8% – discontinued integration programmes

  Rate in force since 01.10.2006   Data on the IPI quoted in this and in subsequent tables are available on the Web page of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy http://www.mpips.gov.pl/index. phpigid = 133 . 43 44

63

Table 25: Country of origin of refugees taking advantage of IPI in years 2004-2006: Country of origin

2004

2005

2006

Russian Federation (Chechnya)

442

497

693

Belarus

11

12

29

Georgia

4

4

0

Jordan (Palestine)

4

0

0

Stateless

4

1

1

Cameroon

3

0

0

Cuba

3

0

0

Pakistan

3

6

0

Somalia

3

12

1

Afghanistan

2

3

0

Turkey

2

3

0

Uzbekistan

2

1

2

Democratic Republic of Congo

1

0

0

Iran

1

6

4

Sudan

1

0

0

FR (Ingushetia)

0

4

0

Sri Lanka

0

3

3

Syria

0

1

1

Zimbabwe

0

1

0

Azerbaijan

0

0

4

Kazakhstan

0

0

2

Iraq

0

0

1

486

554

741

Total

Data from 2006 show a significant increase in the number of integration programmes, as well as in the number of those completed as planned (usually after 12 months). The number of programmes discontinued is dropping – however, still almost one out of five integration programmes are not completed (18,8 percent).

64

The countries of origin of refugees taking advantage of IPI are the countries of origin of recognized refugees in Poland. The number of refugees recognized in a given year is not equal to the number of refugees receiving assistance – the integration programmes last 12 months, so most refugees taking advantage of them are counted twice – in the year in which they start, and in the year in which they complete the programme.

Table 26: Voivodships in which IPI were implemented in years 2004 – 200645 IPI number

IPI number

IPI number

2004

2005

2006

Mazowieckie

116

130

167

Podlaskie

30

47

57

Lubelskie

15

9

11

Zachodniopomorskie

3

7

3

Łódzkie

2

3

0

Wielkopolskie

1

0

0

Dolnośląskie

0

0

2

167

196

240

Voivodship

Total

It seems that almost all refugees take advantage of the IPI near Warsaw. In fact, 69 percent of integration programmes in 2006 were conducted by poviats of the Mazowieckie voivodship; however, other refugees settle in other regions of Poland, mostly in the Podlaskie and Lubelskie voivodships. In 2006, 23 percent of integration programmes were implemented by the poviats of the Podlaskie voivodship, and 4.5 percent – of the Lubelskie voivodship. Due to lack of reception centers in this area, it is interesting that some refugees are attracted to the Zachodniopomorskie voivodship.

  Data available on the Web page of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy http:// www. mpips.gov.pl/index.phpigid= 133 and partially rendered accessible by the Department of Social Assistance and Integration of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy 45

65

Integration programmes in Poland (2004-2006)

13

134 513

1 5 2

35

In three years (2004-2006), Poland granted support to refugees, implementing the total of 603 integration programmes. 72 percent of these programmes were conducted by the Mazowieckie voivodship. According to data obtained from the Mazovian Voivodeship Office, the implementation of IPI in this voivodship was initiated by most persons running single-person households – 34.6%, the next group were families of 6: 16.7%, families of 2 constituted 15,5%, of 4: 12%, of 3: 11% and of 6: 84% and 7 members: 2,4%46. According to the Mazowieckie Voivodship Office, most able to cope with the Polish reality are single men who are more mobile and determined. On the other hand, women find it most difficult to integrate; they often give up Polish language lessons and their professional development to take care of the children and the house. The number of refugees who would like to live in the Mazowieckie Voivodship, but outside Warsaw, has been growing for years (they are encouraged to make such choice by social workers, due to lower costs of rental of apartments, which allows refugees to make better use of the integration programme resources).

  Report from implementation in 2006 of Individual Integration Programmes in the Mazowieckie voivodship, Mazovian Voivodeship Office, Department of Social Policy, Warsaw 2007; page 5-6 46

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Table 27: IPI in the Mazowieckie voivodship in 2005 according to poviat47 Poviat

Number of integration programmes

Number of refugees in IPI

Including children

Capital city Warsaw

108

248

80

Pruszkowski

11

40

24

Piaseczyński

9

27

15

Nowodworski

4

14

8

Płocki – municipal

4

14

6

Siedlecki – municipal

3

14

8

Wołomiński

4

10

4

Legionowski

1

3

1

144

370

146

Total

There is no nationwide data on duration of integration programmes (such data is collected only in one voivodship). Data on foreigners taking advantage of integration programmes is presented in the report on integration of the Association of Legal Intervention (SIP). Analysis of 117 integration programmes, conducted for the purpose of the report, shows that one out of four persons filing the application for the integration programme is a woman (30 ‘main applicants’ for integration programmes were women, 87 were men). As the authors of the report stress, most ‘main applicants’ implement the programme together with their families; taking this fact into account, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy assumes (according to the report) that women constitute 44 percent of beneficiaries of integration programmes. Analysis of data provided by SIP shows that one half of the IPI beneficiaries are full families (54 out of 117 programmes were implemented in 2006 by families with children, and 7 – married couples with no children). 17 programmes were implemented by single parents (14 percent), and 34 – by single persons (29 percent). Among the families taking advantage of integration programmes with children, most had two or three children.   Data provided by the Department of Social Policy of the Mazovian Voivodeship Office in Warsaw 47

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(Governmental) social assistance programmes for refugees and persons granted the tolerated stay permit Foreigners granted the tolerated stay permit in Poland have no right to integration assistance, but they have the right to social assistance. The right to support of this type is also granted to refugees upon completion of integration programmes48. A foreigner who has obtained a permit for tolerated stay in Poland: • may perform work within the territory of the Republic of Poland, without a work permit • has the right to receive social assistance benefits: they are entitled to family, childcare and parental benefits • has the right to study free of charge at elementary, grammar and postgrammar schools (secondary schools, technical colleges) • has the right to undertake business activity according to the same conditions as the citizens of Poland – has the right to health insurance: a foreigner is insured voluntarily at the National Health Fund or is obliged to get healthcare insurance (the obligation is based on the contract of employment) According to the data of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy49, benefits from social assistance in years 2004 and 2005 for persons granted a tolerated stay permit were provided in form of : a permanent benefit, a designated benefit, meals, a periodical benefit, a family benefit, a childcare benefit, a special designated benefit, material assistance, shopping vouchers, care benefits, insurance premiums and shelter, meals at school, alimony benefits, packages, burial benefit. The total number of persons granted the tolerated stay permit, taking advantage of social assistance in 2004, amounted to 214, including 65 women and 114 children. In 2005, it was 308 people, including 81 women and 159 children. More recent data is not available.

Since 29 May 2008, there are integration programs for persons granted complementary protection. Such protection replaced permit for tolerated stay. 49   Report „Benefits from social assistance granted in years 2004 – 2005 to persons having the tolerated stay permit” www.mps.gov.pl 48 

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Table 28. Country of origin of families granted the tolerated stay permit, taking advantage of social assistance benefits in Poland in years 2004-200550 Country of origin

Number of families in 2004

Number of families in 2005

FR/Chechnya

17

58

Ukraine

15

7

Russia

3

-

Belarus

5

8

Armenia

4

2

Afghanistan

3

5

Algeria

2

-

Bulgaria

2

-

Azerbaijan

1

-

India

1

-

Kazakhstan

1

-

Pakistan

1

1

Romania

1

1

Somalia

1

-

Sri Lanka

1

-

Somalia

-

2

Bangladesh

-

1

Bulgaria

-

1

Iraq

-

1

Syria

-

1

Uzbekistan

-

1

Zimbabwe

-

1

50

  same as above.

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NGO integration programmes for refugees and persons granted the tolerated stay permit Apart from vocational and language trainings, mentioned earlier, the Polish NGOs implement many other activities to support refugee integration. The most complex offer in the field of support of integration for refugees and persons granted the tolerated stay permit is provided by the Refugee Counselling Center of the Polish Humanitarian Organization: it provides social counseling for refugees, integration courses for adults and children, a labor club, vocational trainings, language and computer classes, it employs a psychologist, it publishes a newspaper for refugees and a Web page on refugees. Other organizations maintain a more specialized profile of activity – in general, however, the scope and scale of activity of these organizations has been growing systematically. As it can be seen on the basis of the breakdown below, a great majority of NGOs operate in Warsaw. This is associated, among other things, with availability of the funding sources. In Warsaw, many organizations take advantage of the possibility of cooperation in the field of refugee assistance with the local administration. Table 30. shows the scope of cooperation between NGOs and the Mazowiecki Voivodship Office in terms of integration.

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Housing assistance

Support on the labor market

Psychological assistance

Polish language courses

Foreign language courses

Assistance for children (clubs, classes at the reception centers)

Access to computer (computer courses)

Education/ information on refugees

Lobbying on behalf of refugees

Refugee Counselling Center of PAH (Warsaw) Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (Warsaw) Association of Legal Intervention (Warsaw) Intercultural Center for Vocational Assistance (Warsaw) Legal Counseling Center of Warsaw University (Warsaw) Halina Nieć Legal Assistance Center (Krakow) Jagiellonian University Law Clinic (Kraków) Caritas (Lublin, Warsaw) IOM (Warsaw) A’Venir (Lublin) Volunteer Center (Lublin) Catholic University in Lublin Law Clinic Arka (Radom) Migrant Center FuShenfu (Warsaw) Polish Migration Forum (Warsaw) VIA (Warsaw)

Social counseling

Organization

Legal assistance

Table 29. The main NGO initiatives supporting refugees in Poland

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x x x

x x

x x

x

x

x x

x

x

x

x x

x

x x

x

x

x

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Table 30: Funds made available for integration activities (for refugees and other foreigners) of NGOs by the Mazowiecki Voivodship Office (2003-2006) Year

Organization

Amount (in PLN)

Description of activity funded

2001 Polish Humanitarian Organization

221 100

Integration activities on behalf of refugees

2003 Polish Humanitarian Organization

55 000

– Polish language and vocational courses for refugees – Refugee Day organization – organization of integration meetings – operating costs of the Refugee Home – purchase of small household articles, cleaning agents, bed linen and food for the Refugee Home

2004 Polish Humanitarian Organization

30 000

2004 Caritas of Archdiocese of Warsaw

13 700

2005 Caritas of Archdiocese of Warsaw

90 000 PLN

– Refugee Day organization – Polish language courses for refugees – remuneration for manager and social worker of the Office for Refugees – purchase of office materials – remuneration for personnel of the Office for Refugees – purchase of medical services and therapeutic services for refugees; – purchase of school items, payments for kindergarten, – office operating costs

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2005 Association of Refugees in the Republic of Poland

10 000 PLN

Additional financing for operating costs of the Association office

2005 Salvation Foundation

8 000 PLN

Remuneration of employees

Year

Organization

Amount (in PLN)

Description of activity funded

2005 Polish Association of Legal Education

6 000 PLN

– remuneration for consultants providing legal counseling duty hours

2006 Caritas of Archdiocese of Warsaw

40 000 PLN

Polish language lessons for refugee children

2006 Polish Humanitarian Organization Foundation

20 000 PLN

Running of the “Refugee Home”

2006 Association of Legal Intervention

10 000 PLN

Kindergarten integration classes for Polish and Chechen children

2007 Migrant Center Fu Shenfu

25 000 PLN

Project „World’s Children Kindergarten”

2007 Association of Legal Intervention

10 000 PLN

Legal and intercultural counseling for foreigners (including remuneration for the project coordinator and the cost of renting of premises)

– remuneration for persons conducting courses within the framework of the information campaign concerning refugees in schools and kindergartens

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Chapter 3. ‘Back-up’ for Integration Scientific research and analyses on refugees and persons granted the tolerated stay permit Refugees and multicultural issues in the Polish education programmes Social awareness on refugees Sources of financing of integration activities

Scientific research and analyses on refugees and persons granted the tolerated stay permit The first, although sporadic publications on refugees in Poland emerged shortly after they started coming to Poland. However, only in the recent years, mainly thanks to the new opportunities of financing analyses and research using European funds, the number of publications on refugees and migrants in Poland started to increase, and the subject matter became more diversified. Listed below are the selected publications on integration of refugees and migrants. Some of them were published in form of books, others – as reports, some are available only in electronic format. Whenever possible, we provide information on availability of the text. The publications have been presented in chronological order (starting with the most recent ones). • Migranci na polskim rynku pracy. Rzeczywistość, problemy, wyzwania [Migrants on the Polish labor market. Reality, problems, challenges], ed. Witold Klaus, Association of Legal Intervention, 2007 The authors discuss the issue of functioning of migrants – both in the context of economic and forced migration – from various perspectives. We will find here texts pointing to the need to adapt the assumptions of the immigration policy to the present needs of the Polish labor market, as well as articles on the cultural and social functioning of refugees and foreigners granted tolerated stay permit on this market. The publication also includes articles on the state policy with regard to human trafficking victims, as well as conditions of therapeutic work with refugees from other cultural circles. The publication was prepared thanks to support of the European Social Fund within the framework of EQUAL Community Initiative. • Chrzanowska A., Klaus W, Integracja i pomoc społeczna wobec uchodźców w Polsce. Wyniki badań aktowych, [Integration and social assistance for refugees in Poland. Results of file research], Association of Legal Intervention, Analizy Raporty Eksper­tyzy no. 8/2007;

www.interwencjaprawna.pl/docs/ARE-807-integracja-pomoc-spoleczna.pdf

Research conducted in 2007 under a joint project of SIP and the Institute of Public Affairs “Evaluation of integration programmes for refugees in Poland” was co-financed by the European Social Fund. The research included the analysis of 117

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Individual Integration Programmes (IPI), used by 320 refugees, and analysis of the social situation of 283 foreigners granted the tolerated stay permit. The researchers show that the currently used forms of integration assistance for refugees are not very effective, and they postulate e.g. greater individualization of IPI, lengthening of the integration programmes even to 3 years, evaluation of IPI during their implementation and providing integration programmes for persons granted the tolerated stay permit. • Preintegracja i integracja Czeczenów w Polsce. Rzeczywistość i rekomendacje [Preintegration and integration of Chechens in Poland. Reality and recommendations], Maciejko A., Olszewska Z., 2007, Association of Legal Intervention, Analizy Raporty Eksper­tyzy no.5/2007

www.interwencjaprawna.pl/docs/ARE-507-preintegracja.pdf

The text is a fragment of a report summarizing an independent research project entitled „Social, legal and political dimensions of the influx of Chechen refugees into Central Europe”, financed by John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. It is focused on the issues of the so-called preintegration and integration of persons of Chechen nationality, provided with international protection in Poland. It is a result of in-depth interviews conducted from April 2006 to February 2007 with representatives of various institutions helping refugees from Chechnya and Chechens themselves. The researchers point out that the activities on behalf of pre-integration should be undertaken in relation to refugees from the moment of initiation of the asylum-seeking procedure. • Potrzeba zmian w przepisach prawnych i praktyce ich stosowania w celu skutecznej integracji uchodźców w Polsce. Krótka charakterystyka [The need for changes in the legal provisions and in their practical application for efficient integration of refugees in Poland. A short characteristics], Klaus W, 2007, Association of Legal Intervention, Analizy Raporty Eksper­tyzy no.4/2007 The work presents two sources of changes necessary to conduct the efficient integration of refugees in Poland. The first one pertains to systemic changes, aimed at devising of a full and coherent system of refugee integration. The second is associated with changes in legal provisions, regulating in the first place the situation of persons who have been granted tolerated stay permits.

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• Mieszkania uchodźców. Fotograficzna eksploracja miejsc zamieszkania uchodźców z Czeczenii [Dwellings of refugees. A photographic exploration of places of residence of refugees from Chechnya] Tomczuk E., Włodkowski R.12, 2007, Research seminar – areas and forms of ethnic exclusion in Poland. The research with the use of the analysis of photographs conducted in June and July 2007 at the Central Reception Center for Refugees in Dębak near Warsaw, and the apartment in Pruszków, where two Chechen families reside. The researches point out the humble furnishing of refugee apartments and the manner of joining, overlapping and the potential mutual replacement of cultures – Chechen and Polish. • Funkcjonowanie imigrantek z Ukrainy na polskim rynku pracy – sytuacja obecna i rekomendacje dla społeczeństwa przyjmującego [Functioning of female immigrants from Ukraine on the Polish labor market – the present situation and recommendations for the host community], Kloc-Nowak W., 2007, Association of Legal Intervention, Analizy Raporty Eksper­tyzy no.9/2007

www.interwencjaprawna.pl/docs/ARE-907-Ukrainki-na-polskim-rynkupracy.pdf

The study presents the situation of female immigrants from Ukraine on the Polish labor market. Three most typical situations of women from this country according to their economic situation have been presented: illegal work, legal work as specialists, limited professional activity of students and settling immigrants. • Społeczność i instytucje lokalne wobec inicjatywy utworzenia ośrodka dla uchodźców [Local community and institutions faced with initiative of establishment of a refugee center], Firlit-Fesnak G. (scientific management), 2006, Institute of Social Policy of Warsaw University

www.ips.uw.edu.pl/pdfdoc/raportyips/raportm7.pdf

The field research was conducted in December 2005 under the project Partnership for Development @lterCamp, financed by PIW EQUAL. The objective was to get familiar with the attitudes of the local community: inhabitants and representatives of institutions responsible for refugee integration, towards refugees and their integration in the local community of Zgierz city, where a model adaptation center was supposed to be established for refugees from Chechnya.

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• Realizacja obowiązku szkolnego przez małoletnich cudzoziemców, przebywających w ośrodkach dla uchodźców. Raport z monitoringu [Implementation of the schooling obligation by minor foreigners staying at reception centers. Monitoring report], 2006, Jasiakiewcz A., Klaus W., Association of Legal Intervention, Analizy Raporty Eksper­tyzy no.2/2006

www.interwencjaprawna.pl/docs/ARE-206-monitoring-edukacyjny.pdf

Monitoring was conducted in the early October 2005 and it was repeated in early April 2006 in all refugee centers. Research results show that almost 50% children at school age (7 to 16) in the examined years did not attend schools – mostly due to insufficient knowledge of Polish. The situation of children at postgrammar school age is even worse – none of these children attends a secondary school. • Prawne uwarunkowania integracji uchodźców w Polsce. Komentarz dla praktyków [Legal conditions of refugee integration in Poland], Klaus W. (ed.), authors: Cegiełka D., Gracz K., Jasiakiewicz A., Smoter B., Wencel K., Wilga G., 2006, Association of Legal Intervention, Warsaw This publication is a commentary to all legal provisions concerning integration of persons granted the tolerated stay permit and refugee status. • Słuchając uchodźców. Raport o analizie potrzeb uchodźców różnej płci, wieku i pochodzenia na Węgrzech, w Polsce, na Słowacji i w Słowenii [Listening to refugees. A report on analysis of the needs of refugees of varying gender, age and origin in Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia], Regional UNHCR Office, Budapest 2005, 2006, 2007.

unhcr-rrbp.org/poland/images/stories/raportgad.doc

The reports were prepared by the Multifunctional Team, consisting of representatives of the Office for Foreigners, the Mazowieckie Voivodship Office, the Association of Legal Intervention, the Polish Humanitarian Action Foundation and UNHCR. This type of dialogue with refugees and the report are annual initiatives. Interviews were conducted separately with asylum seekers, recognized refugees and foreigners granted the tolerated stay permit, according to gender and age.

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• Problemy i oczekiwania osób oczekujących na nadanie statusu uchodźcy w Polsce w wybranych ośrodkach recepcyjnych. Wstępne wyniki badań [Problems and expectations of persons awaiting granting of refugee status in Poland in the selected reception centers. Preliminary research results], Łodziński S., Ząbek M., 2005, Warsaw University; Research project implemented within the confines of the project „You can learn to understand – MUR”, financed by Equal. The project is coordinated by the Refugee Counselling Center of Polish Humanitarian Action Foundation. The research conducted in four reception centers for asylum seekers was aimed at examination of the reasons, for which refugees left their countries, chose Poland as their destination, as well as their problems and expectations for the future. • Migranci na rynku pracy w Polsce. Wyniki badań przeprowadzonych wśród migrantów ekonomicznych i pracowników polskich [Migrants on the labor market in Poland. Results of research conducted among economic migrants and Polish employees], Bojar H. Gąsior-Niemiec A., Bieniecki M., Pawlak M., 2005, Institute of Public Affairs

www.isp.org.pl/files/15564235680343222001119876573.pdf

The research is a part of the project “Immigration as the strategy for development of New Europe, or the presence of immigrants on the labor market of Poland after accession to the EU”. 20 interviews each were conducted with immigrants and employees of four sectors of the Polish labor market: education, catering, domestic help and construction. • Wędrowcy i migranci. Pomiędzy marginalizacją a integracją [Travelers and migrants. From marginalization to integration], Nowicka E., Cieślińska B. (ed.), 2005, NOMOS, Kraków The book is a collection of articles on movements of individuals and social groups between various countries. It describes various life strategies of immigrant groups, as well as the character of countries, taking into account the division into immigrant (accepting) and emigrant (dismissing) countries. The book is divided into two main parts. The first set of articles deals with dislocations of the Roma community, while the second part is dedicated to Poland as a place of both emigration and immigration.

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• Cudzoziemcy poszukujący ochrony w Polsce. Analiza danych zastanych [foreigners seeking protection in Poland. Analysis of data as found], FirlitFesnak G. (ed.), 2005, Institute of Social Policy, Raporty Migracyjne no. 6/2005

www.ips.uw.edu.pl/pdfdoc/raportyips/raportm6.pdf

The study was prepared as part of the activities of the Partnership for Development @lterCamp PIW EQUAL. The first section presents the state of knowledge on the situation of refugees in Poland on the basis of legal acts, statistical data, political analyses and sociological research. The second one describes the field research concept entitled “Integration of foreigners searching for protection from the perspective of the local community, the local social policy entities and foreigners – the example of Zgierz. Research subject, objective and guidelines” • A report summarizing the results of the survey conducted at the reception centers for asylum seekers, Bachaev R., Gajewska A., Karlis S., Pasieka A., 2005, The Center for Human Rights of Jagiellonian University, Krakow. The report was prepared under the “Education for integration – Partnership on behalf of Refugees” project implemented by the Law Clinic of Warsaw University, the Human Rights Center of Jagiellonian University, the Volunteer Center Association in Lublin and the University Legal Counseling Center of the Catholic University of Lublin. The survey research, conducted between asylum seekers in Poland, provided information on legal assistance for refugees, learning of Polish language, familiarity with the Polish culture. The materials gathered, along with the postulates of the respondents, were used to prepare the set of direct activities in the project. • Zogniskowane wywiady grupowe z imigrantami [Focus group interviews with immigrants], Supińska J. (research management), Firlit-Fesnak G., Łotocki Ł., 2003, Institute of Social Policy, Raporty Migracyjne no. 2/2003

www.ips.uw.edu.pl/pdfdoc/raportyips/raportm2.pdf

Within the framework of the Xenophob – Workpackage 2 programme in Poland, 8 focus group interviews were conducted in Warsaw, Zielona Góra and Lublin. They show that Poland is perceived as an foreigner-friendly country by persons with higher education, mostly from countries of the West. Those coming from the East (particularly the former Soviet Union), Africa and Asia (especially those with lower education and those who have not been successful in Poland) perceive Po-

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land as a less tolerant country. The greatest difficulties on the labor market listed included: incompetence and negative attitude of office workers; lack of information; complicated and imprecise legal system. • Uchodźcy w Polsce jako nowy problem społeczny [Refugees in Poland as a new social problem], Stawicki R., 2003, unpublished doctoral thesis, Institute of Social Policy, Faculty of Journalism and Political Science, Warsaw University, Warsaw Research conducted in years 2001/2002 among recognized refugees, asylum seekers and employees of NGOs and institutions acting on behalf of refugees. The research results show that there is no effective model of integration of recognized refugees, which puts them in a worse situation – with regard to financial situation –than persons staying at the reception centers and awaiting status. The main problems pertain to ineffective integration programmes. Another problem is insufficient preparation of employees, lack of cooperation between the government and the NGOs, lack of access to cheap apartments and the labor market. Due to this situation, refugees still decide to leave Poland and search for more favorable conditions in the countries of Western Europe. • Między piekłem a rajem. Problemy adaptacji kulturowej uchodźców i imigrantów w Polsce [Between hell and heaven. Problems of cultural adaptation of refugees and immigrants in Poland] Ząbek M.(ed.), 2002, Wydawnictwo Trio, Warsaw The research results show, inter alia, the problem of idleness at the reception centers and ways of coping with this situation (e.g. illegal work). The researcher also points to the sources of conflicts at these centers – cultural differences and insufficient preparation in the opinions of refugees and employees of reception centers. • Opinie i postawy mieszkańców Polski wobec migracji i cudzoziemców w świetle badań opinii publicznej [Opinions and attitudes of inhabitants of Poland towards migration and foreigners in the light of public opinion polls], Łodziński S., 2002, the Sejm Office, Department of Studies and Expertise, Report no. 200

http://biurose.sejm.gov.pl/teksty_pdf/r-200.pdf

The report presents the results of public opinion polls conducted in Poland in the last decade, concerning the attitudes towards foreigners and migration. It presents the main tendencies and changes in the attitudes of the Poles in this regard; in

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particular, it is focused on such issues as openness of the respondents to arrival of foreigners, their attitudes towards economic migrants and refugees and the possibilities of integration of foreigners with the Polish society. • Goście i gospodarze. Problem adaptacji kulturowej w obozach dla uchodźców oraz otaczających je społecznościach lokalnych [Guests and hosts. The problem of cultural adaptation at refugee camps and the neighboring local communities], Grzymała – Moszczyńska H., Nowicka E., 1998, Wydawnictwo NOMOS, Kraków Research conducted in the nineties among foreigners, employees or refugee centers, policemen, doctors, teachers and persons living nearby. The research results suggest lack of sufficient preparation of the staff to work with foreigners. The activities undertaken, aimed at integration of refugees with the Polish society, do not bring the expected results – e.g. Polish language learning at the reception centers is of low quality. The asylum-seeking procedure, which – in the opinion of refugees – takes too long, and organization of resources, are conducive to emergence of the learned helplessness syndrome. • Uchodźca w polskiej szkole. Problemy związane z edukacją uchodźców w Polsce na przykładzie wielokulturowego gimnazjum przy ulicy Raszyńskiej w Warszawie [A refugee at the Polish school. Problems associated with refugee education in Poland on the basis of the multicultural grammar school at Raszynska Street in Warsaw], Popłonkowska A., Melon D., Makarewicz M. The report was written within the framework of the research seminar “Areas and forms of ethnic exclusion in Poland (national minorities and refugees), conducted at the Institute of Sociology of Warsaw University by Sławomir Łodziński, Ph. D. The research project, aimed at increasing knowledge of the children about refugees, was conducted at the Social Grammar School no. 20 at 22 Raszyńska Street in Warsaw and in two refugee centers. The authors focused on assessment of the strategies applied by schools towards new students.

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Refugees and multicultural issues in the Polish education programmes In comparison with many other European countries, Poland hosts a relatively small number of foreigners. However, it is sufficient to require integration with assistance of appropriately trained staff at many state institutions. A short reconnaissance of university curricula in Poland shows that the issues of multicultural context and protection of refugees are discussed rarely. On the map of schools which take into account the problems of multiculturality and integration of foreigners, particularly refugees, several academic institutions can be distinguished. These include: Białystok University (Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology with the Chair of Intercultural Education), Warsaw University (Faculty of Philosophy and Sociology and the Institute of Sociology), Gdańsk University (Institute of Pedagogy), Catholic University of Lublin (Faculty of Social Sciences), Zielonogórski University (Faculty of Humanities) and University of Social Psychology in Warsaw (Faculty of Psychology). The issues of multiculturality are most often raised at such faculties as pedagogy, sociology, cultural sciences, political sciences, international relations and law. Most courses are conducted within the framework of sociology and pedagogy studies (there are even separate specializations and class modules). The most often encountered subjects are “anthropology of culture” and “intercultural education”. At the University of Social Psychology, there is even a specialization called “Psychology of intercultural relations”. In comparison, law subjects are less impressive. The issues associated with migration and refugees are most often discussed during lectures on international public law and human rights protection. These topics encompass a small part of the teaching programmes in the field of social policy and work. In the framework curriculum approved by the Ministry of Social Policy through the Ordinance of April 7th, 2005, concerning the standards of education for social workers, the problems of refugee integration are just one of the topics of the subject „Social problems and issues”: issues of foreigner integration. Marginal treatment of issues of muliticulturality or presence of foreigners in Poland make social workers feel insufficiently prepared for work with beneficiaries of this type. The data presented below regarding studies of multiculturality and refugees at the Polish universities encompasses the largest academic institutions in Poland (the criterion for selection was the data of the Central Statistical Office concerning the number of students). When selecting the uni-

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versity, a ranking prepared by Rzeczpospolita and Perspektywy in 2007 was taken into account.

Table 31. Topics of protection and integration of refugees and multiculturality at the Polish universities (selected faculties, particularly significant from the perspective of foreigner integration). Uczelnia

kierunek

Institute of Pedagogy; Gdańsk University

• Pedagogy (bachelor studies) with specialization in social animation

Institute of Pedagogy; Gdańsk University

• Pedagogy with specialization in education or social work (full time studies, bachelor) Social pedagogy (full time studies, 2nd degree) •social policy (bachelor studies)

Institute of Pedagogy; Gdańsk University Institute of Social Policy; Warsaw University

przedmioty/moduły zajęć: • culture and social animation: -“Social coherence and participation in culture” – “Animation and ritual” •street pedagogy: -“Social animation of street children” and “Animation through outreach, streetworking and partyworking” • urban anthropology in animation – “Urban anthropology” and „Ethnographic workshop” •animation and dialogue: “Animation dialogue”, “Animation with no arbiter”. Educational work, school counseling, social work with family, social prevention

“Education transforming the environment “ -“Social coherence policy” -“Equality and discrimination”

85

University Institute of Social Policy; Warsaw University

Faculty of Pedagogy; Warsaw University

86

Specialization • postgraduate studies in occupational counseling and agency within the framework of the project EFS SPO RZL (period: February 2006 – March 2008) • Pedagogy

Topics/modules: -“Professional integration and re-integration of groups which are weak and excluded from the labor market”

-“Introduction to social integration” (Optional classes for teaching specialization students – bachelor studies) – “Introduction to social and cultural animation” (obligatory classes for social and cultural specialization students) -“Intercultural education” (Problems: multiculturality as a social phenomenon, the role of education in shaping of societies, multicultural education, multicultural education and education for peace, phenomenon and types of migration, cultural determinants of functioning of human beings and culture in encounters, acculturation processes, diasporas, enclaves, ethnic ghettos and their culture, cultural conflicts) –“Intercultural communication”

University Warsaw University; Faculty of Philosophy and Sociology; Institute of Sociology

Specialization • sociology (full time M.A. studies)

Topics/modules: -“Social exclusion areas” (Issues: social analyses of various kinds of social exclusion). Citizenship and religion. Modern dilemmas of the integration policy for foreigners in Europe . (curriculum includes „ethnicity management”). -“Intercultural communication“ –spatial mobility and societal transformations – subject name: immigration and globalization. Example of the United States Ethnic exclusion areas and forms in Poland – national minorities and refugees (Problems: analysis of the selected symptoms of modern forms of ethnic exclusion in Poland, using the example of national minorities and foreigners (particularly refugees). Research is planned at reception centers for refugees in Warsaw and nearby. :

Warsaw University; Institute of Applied Social Sciences

-”Introduction into migration and ethnic relation studies -internet course in English” (Internet course) -“Visual anthropology” – research • social on cultural diversity anthropology; – „Sociological issues of social starting on the 3rd year „Anthropology minorities” – „Anthropology of prejudice” of culture – “Problems of identity in the – problems of process of cultural change” multiculturality”

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University Warsaw University; Faculty of Economy

•postgraduate studies in international migrations • postgraduate studies in international migrations for international employment services

Warsaw University; Faculty of Law and Administration Warsaw University Institute of International Relations Institute of Pedagogy; Jagiellonian University

• law

Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University

88

Specialization

• international relations

• Pedagogy , social and educational specialization (bachelor studies) •psychology

Topics/modules: -“Most recent migration to Poland”, “European models of integration of immigrants”, “Migrations of refugees”, : Understanding of cultural diversity and its management”, “Integration of immigrants from Poland” – “Cultural gender and migrations”, “Practical aspects of adaptation of migrants”, “Practical aspects of functioning of immigrants in Poland” “Legal and institutional conditions of integration of immigrants in Poland” “The state in the face of ethnic diversity” -“International public law”

-“International passenger turnover” -“Protection of human rights” “Religious relations in the LC”

-“Theoretical aspects of integration of the local community” – “Selected issues of intercultural psychopathology” (Problems include: influence of cultural factors on emergence, course and treatment of psychical disorders, psychical disorders regarded to be typical for certain cultures)

University Faculty of Social Sciences; Catholic University in Lublin Faculty of Social Sciences; Catholic University in Lublin University of Social Psychology in Warsaw; Faculty of Psychology

Specialization

Topics/modules:

-“Selected issues of social work” • Pedagogy (full time MA studies) -“Anthropology of culture – implications for teaching” • psychology -“Social psychology and psychology of religion” • psychology of intercultural relations (uniform studies – MA, full time and extramural)

The following issues are discussed: intercultural management of companies and NGOs, psychology of management in foreign companies; ethnical and cultural conflicts, civilizational clashes and intercultural mediation, processes of psychological acculturation of repatriated persons, emigrants, refugees and persons working abroad and the associated problems; cultural competence trainings for the Poles going abroad and foreigners staying in Poland. Within the framework of the studies, four modules are offered: “Life and work in a multicultural environment”, “Civilization of Islam”, Civilization of Eastern Asia”, “Masculinity and feminity from individual and cultural perspective”

89

University

Specialization

Topics/modules:

–“Social pedagogy” –“Special pedagogy” –“Anthropology of culture” –“Problems of participation in culture” -“Diagnosis of educational environments” –“Intercultural education” –“Methods of cultural animation –“Intercultural Psychology” –“Human rights” –“Cultural bases for social life” •At the university, there is a Society of Intercultural Education established in June 1997 out of the initiative of students of Pedagogy of Culture Education, Early Education and Educational Care. Cardinal Stefan •sociology -“Anthropology of culture” Wyszyński „-Cultures – clashes and University; Faculty cooperation” of Humanities and (specialization: sociology of Social Sciences intercultural communication) -“Immigration and asylum policy Cardinal Stefan • political sciences in the EU” (part-time studies, Wyszyński specialization: international policy University; Faculty and European integration); of Humanities and postgraduate studies in civic Social Sciences education and European science. -“Social and cultural integration of immigrants in the EU” – “Human rights protection” – “foreigner and refugee law” – “Rehabilitation education Private University •Pedagogy of Pedagogy in (extramural studies, – culture techniques “ Białystok 2nd level – MA studies) -“Psychological aspects of cultural Wrocław University • psychology (studies: full-time and phenomena” (seminar, 30 hours) evening) Białystok University; Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology (a Chair of Intercultural Education has been established)

90

• Education pedagogy – early education, culture education

University

Specialization

Wrocław University • law

Warmińsko – Mazurski University in Olsztyn; Faculty of Social Sciences Warmińsko – Mazurski University in Olsztyn; Faculty of Law and Administration University of Pedagogy in Łódź Zielonogórski University; Faculty of Political Sciences and Sociology Zielonogórski University; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

• Pedagogy ( full time)

• law

Topics/modules: “Individual protection in international law” (including protection of foreigners and refugees) “Public international law” -“Introduction to social work” -„Cultural education” –“Intercultural education” –“Anthropology of culture” -“Human rights protection in the light of criminal law” -“Criminal law of Islam”

• Pedagogy • Special pedagogy • Pedagogy

None

•sociology

-“Anthropology of culture and social anthropology”

-“Anthropology of culture” -„Problems of participation in culture”

91

University

92

Specialization

Zielonogórski University Faculty of Humanities; Institute of Political Sciences

•political sciences

Collegium Civitas

• sociology

Nicolas Copernicus University in Torun; Faculty of Humanities Nicolas Copernicus University in Torun; Faculty of Humanities Nicolas Copernicus University in Torun; Faculty of Law and Administration

•sociology (MA studies, full time)

Topics/modules: -“Civilizations of Europe” –“International public law” -“Social and economic policy” -“Policy for refugees III KP” (Problems: Protection of refugees in international law and practice; origin and nature of refugee policy of the European Union, history of refuge in Poland, modern conditions of refuge in Poland, integration and adaptation of refugees in the Polish society, the phenomenon of refuge in Poland in comparison with the tendencies in other states of central and Eastern Europe) -“Religions of the world” – “National relations in Europe” -“Religious relations in Europe” -“Modern social movements in Europe” -MA Specialization “Intercultural psychology”, “Social identity and stereotypes”, – M.A. Specialization: Culture, Media and Social Communication Optional subjects: “Modern ethnic conflicts”, Religions of the world”, “Migrations from the local and global perspective”, Cultural diversification of the Polish society” “Human rights and freedoms” -“Foreigners in Poland”

• political studies

-“Political geography”

•European studies, law

-“International public law”

University

Specialization

Nicolas Copernicus • international University in Torun; relations Faculty of Humanities

Nicolas Copernicus • European studies University in Torun; (Grudziądz) Faculty of Humanities Rzeszow •sociology University; Institute of Sociology Wyższa Szkoła Humanistyczna im. Aleksandra Gieysztora w Pułtusku

• Pedagogy • Sociology – none

Topics/modules: -“Political geography – classical and modern perspective” research problems (Problems: political migrations, refugees, ethnic conflicts) -International protection of human rights, foreigners, displaced persons, migration, minorities -“Anthropology of culture”

No subjects associated directly with refugee information or multiculturality

93

Education of personnel working with refugees Since the moment of opening of its office in Poland, UNHCR attempted to educate and train persons working with refugees. During 15 years of its presence in Poland, UNHCR regularly organized trainings for various groups: social workers, teachers, Border Guard and police officers, workers analyzing the applications for refugee status, lawyers and NGO employees and others. Trainings were almost always aimed at broadening of knowledge of these groups on refugees, their countries of origin, as well as various aspects significant from the perspective of providing refugees with assistance (e.g. with regard to work with asylum-seeking minors). There were also trainings aimed at providing the participants with other skills: mediation and negotiation, conflict solving and coping with stress. In the recent years, trainings on refugees have also become a field of operation of many NGOs. The trainings are often addressed to employees of state institutions. For instance, in 2007, the Association for Legal Intervention conducted trainings for employees and directors of Municipal Social Assistance Centers in Warsaw on the Polish legislation concerning foreigners. There were 38 participants, and some of the lecturers were foreigners. One year earlier, SIP organized a training for the employees of the Department of Inhabitant Services In Warsaw. The Center for Assistance to Migrants and Refugees of Caritas Archdiocese in Lublin organized in the same year a psychological, teaching and legal workshop for psychologists, kindergarten, elementary and grammar school teachers entitled: “Children of foreigners at Polish schools. Education as one of the aspects of social integration”. Employees of the Border Guard also participated in a training programme – “Strengthening of refugee protection through better border management”, conducted by Halina Nieć Legal Assistance Center and UNHCR. Since 2004, within the framework of the three subsequent projects of the Voivode of the Mazowieckie Voivodship, co-financed by the European Refugee Fund, trainings and workshops are also conducted on multiculturality for social workers who are engaged in work with refugees and foreigners who have been granted the tolerated stay permit. In years 2004-7, about 180 people were trained. These were mainly the social workers of the District Family Assistance Centers, Social Assistance Centers, district labor offices, refugee centers and NGOs.

94

Social awareness with regard to refugees Since 1998, upon order of UNHCR, the social research center TNS OBOP has examined the attitudes of the Poles towards refugees. The research results show that the awareness of the Poles with regard to refugees not only does not increase, but it decreases! In 2006, one out of nine Poles (11%) had the opportunity to meet a person who was forced to leave his or her country due to fear of persecution or a war. 88% of the Poles have never encountered such person. In comparison with year 2003 (when this question was asked for the first time), there has been a slight decrease (by 3 percentage points) in the percentage of persons who have experienced direct encounters with refugees.

Table 32. Poles’ direct contacts with refugees Have you ever met anyone who had to leave their country due to fear of persecution or war VII.2003

VII.2004

VII.2005

VII.2006

Yes

14

13

13

11

No

84

86

86

88

I don’t remember

2

1

1

1

Direct contact with refugees has been declared mainly by private entrepreneurs (17%) and managers and specialists (19%), respondents with secondary education (16%), persons who are more interested in politics (25%) and those who declare leftist beliefs (20%), as well as inhabitants of the eastern region (19), Lower Silesia (18%) and the Pomorskie voivodship (18%). A very high percentage of teenagers have never had such encounters (94%), as well as the inhabitants of the Małopolskie region (95%) and respondents who are not interested in politics at all (93%). Most of the Polish society understands the word “refugee” correctly. 67% of Poles are able to identify refugees properly as people who leave their country due to fear of persecution. More than one half of the society (55%) associates this term with persons escaping a country or a territory suffering from a war. The third most popular conviction is the erroneous belief that refugees are persons who leave their country, searching for better living opportunities – it is shared by 40% of Poles.

95

How should we treat refugees? The research shows that Poles are not consistent in their opinions in this regard. Poland should accept refugees – 72 percent

According to the survey, as many as 72 percent of Poles believe that Poland should accept refugees – because more than a decade ago, the Poles were refugees seeking protection in other countries themselves Refugees should be placed in special centers – 59 percent

The high level of support for the very idea of refugee protection is not accompanied by acceptance of the practical aspects of helping refugees. While the percentage of the Poles believing that refugees should be allowed to stay in Poland for longer periods or permanently is growing (61 percent in 2006, in comparison with 42 percent in 1998), but in the opinion of most Poles (59%), the best solution that can be applied by the state in relation to refugees is to provide them with the possibility of staying at the reception centers until they become independent. Refugees should be provided with Polish language lessons – 8 percent

Only 16 percent of the Poles accept the idea of public assistance for refugees aimed at helping them search for jobs, while 8 percent accept providing Polish lessons for

96

them, 7 percent agree to grant Polish citizenship to refugees. 4 percent of the Poles believe that the Polish state should provide refugees with apartments. The table below presents the attitudes of respondents.

Table 33. How to treat refugees?

X.1999

X.2000

VII.2001

VII.2002

VII.2003

VII.2004

VII.2005

VII.2006

In your opinion, what should our state provide for refugees who would like to stay in Poland for a longer period of time or to settle here permanently?

Allow them to live in reception centers until they become independent

66

59

59

64

66

62

63

59

Assist them in finding a job

12

11

11

11

9

12

14

16

Organize Polish language lessons for them

7

8

8

8

7

9

8

8

Grant them Polish citizenship

6

8

8

7

9

8

7

7

Provide apartments for them

2

3

2

4

2

3

4

4

Something else

6

11

2

6

7

6

4

6

Sent them away, to other countries

-

-

4

-

-

-

-

-

Nothing

-

-

3

-

-

-

-

-

I don’t know

1

-

3

-

-

-

-

-

agree to grant Polish citizenship to refugees. 4 percent of the Poles believe that the Polish state should provide refugees with apartments.

97

Sources of financing of integration activities The first integration programmes for refugees emerged in Poland in 1992 (financed by the UNHCR and implemented by the Dębak reception center personnel). The integration programme for refugees, in its present form, was approved by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy in 2000. Since then, the refugees have been entitled to state assistance for a period of no more than one year after being granted refugee status. This support includes financial and social assistance. In Warsaw, within the framework of the integration programme, the foreigners are able to participate in free Polish language lessons. Presentation of data, even estimated, on the expenses of the state budget associated with refugee integration is impossible. There are no breakdowns summarizing the expenses for assistance on behalf of foreigners, which would take into account the costs of hiring personnel responsible for integration or administrative costs. The data presented are amounts spent for integration programmes for recognized refugees and amounts paid to foreigners who have been granted the tolerated stay permit within the framework of social assistance. A significant source of financing of integration activities are the European funds, mostly Equal and the European Refugee Fund. The tables below present the amounts designated for refugee integration, and (whenever possible) the ways of spending them.

The state budget funds 1. Integration programmes for refugees. Information on the expenses from the state budget for Individual Integration Programmes for refugees is collected by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. According to data of the Ministry, in 2004, the total amount spent on refugee assistance within the framework of the IPI was 1 273 403 PLN, which included the amount designated for financial assistance, equal to 1 247 126 PLN, while expenses associated with Polish language classes amounted to 22 840 PLN. In year 2005, the state budget expenses for refugee assistance within the framework of IPI amounted to 1 614 792 PLN, which included the amount of 1 576 279 PLN, while the expenses associated with Polish language learning amounted to 38 513 PLN.

98

At the time of printing of this publication, nationwide data on the expenses in years 2006 and 2007 was not available at the Ministry. Information pertaining to three leading voivodships, however, shows an increase in the amounts spent on integration from the state budget since the beginning of providing refugees with assistance within the framework of individual integration programmes.

Number of persons engaged in IPI in the Lubelskie voivodship

Funds provided for IPI implementation in the Lubelskie voivodship

2001

147

n.a.

8

43 940

44

87 800

2002

241

1 060 130

59

222 084

49

234 910

2003

295

1 275 000

32

113 366

44

54 907

2004

325

991 039

76

200 608

32

95 623

2005

370

1 049 400

101

586 852

21

103 569

2006

481

1 906 444

113

527 164

20

66 333

Year

Number of persons engaged in IPI in the Podlaskie voivodship

Funds provided for IPI implementation in the Podlaskie voivodship

Funds provided for IPI implementation in the Mazowieckie voivodship

Number of persons engaged in IPI in the Mazowieckie voivodship

Table 34: Integration programmes in the Mazowieckie, Podlaskie and Lubelskie voivodships: the number of programmes and funds for their implementation51

In the Mazowieckie voivodship, where most IPI are implemented, the average cost of a single IPI in year 2006 was PLN 15 648,10. On the other hand, the average cost of a benefit per person (within the framework of the entire integration programme) is PLN 5 280. In year 2007, in the Mazowieckie voivodship, the amount designated for IPI implementation was 1 400 000 PLN. For year 2008, the budget amount for this purpose is 1 800 000 PLN.   Data provided by Social Policy Departments of the Lubelskie, Mazowieckie and Podlaskie Voivodship Offices. 51

99

2. Social assistance for foreigners who have been granted the tolerated stay permit. The total amount of social assistance benefits granted in 2004 to persons who obtained a tolerated stay permit (in total, assistance was provided for 63 families) amounted to 104,672.4 PLN; on an annual scale, the average amount per family was 1,661 PLN, and per person – 489 PLN. The average amount of a monthly benefit was 138 PLN per family and 49 PLN per person. The social assistance amount, provided to persons who have been granted the tolerated stay permit in 2005, was 164,073.3 PLN; on the average, on the annual scale, it translated to 1,803 PLN per family and 533 PLN per person. Assistance was provided to 91 families. Data for the subsequent years is not yet available.

Table 35. Means allocated to social assistance for foreigners with tolerated stay permits52 Voivodship

Number Amount spent on Number Amount spent on of assistance of assistance families [in PLN] families [in PLN] (2004) 2004 (2005) 2005

Mazowieckie

21

30 063,29

42

85 132,62

Lubelskie

16

35 720,42

19

24 564,27

Podlaskie

3

4 643,40

13

19 179,30

Zachodniopomorskie

1

1 165,68

4

12 662,62

Łódzkie

2

2 706,40

4

7 882,03

Wielkopolskie

3

4 961,09

4

7 281,00

Kujawsko-Pomorskie

2

846,00

2

4 170,79

Warmińsko-Mazurskie

2

1000,00

1

1 035,00

Podkarpackie

-

-

1

1 165,70

Opolskie

2

5 920,00

1

1 000,00

Lubuskie

4

8 224,50

-

-

Dolnośląskie

3

4 675,10

-

-

Małopolskie

2

3 047,52

-

-

Pomorskie

1

900,00

-

-

Śląskie

1

360,00

-

-

Total

63

104 233,40

91

164 073,3

  Data available on the Web page of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policywww.mpips.gov.pl;

52

100

The European Union Funds used for integration activities for asylum seekers, refugees and persons granted the tolerated stay permit

Voivodship

Contract value (EUR-)

Project name

Project administrator

Topic2

Activity1

Table 36: Partnerships for development, implementing projects financed by the EQUAL Community Initiative Programme53 for years 2004-2006:

2

A Intercultural Center for Vocational Adaptation

„Intercultural Center for Vocational and Social Adaptation”

472 000,000 Mazowieckie

3

A Intercultural Center for Vocational Adaptation

„Intercultural Center for Vocational and Social Adaptation”

472 000,000 Mazowieckie

2

I

Polish Red Cross

@lterCamp

3 978,660,00 Mazowieckie

2

I

Polish Humanitarian Organization

„Social and professional integration of foreigners „You can learn to understand – MUR”

1 956,598,20 Mazowieckie

Human Rights Center of Jagiellonian University

„Education for Integration” – Partnership on behalf of refugees

2

I

860 000 Małopolskie

  Information available on the Web page http://www.equal.gov.pl/ The major objective of PIW EQUAL is to initiate changes in the methods of granting assistance to groups, which are victims of discrimination on the labor market. 53

101

Human Rights Center of Jagiellonian University

„Education for Integration” – Partnership on behalf of refugees

Voivodship

Contract value (EUR-)

Project name

Topic2 I

Project administrator

Activity1 3

500 000 Małopolskie

Activity 2: implementation of the guidelines and objectives of the Partnership, resulting from the agreements on Partnership for development and from contracts for supranational cooperation, that is, implementation of projects aimed at devising and verification of new methods, ways and tools to improve the situation of the groups which are discriminated or threatened by discrimination on the labor market (in Poland, activity 2 is implemented from July 2005 until March 2008). Activity 3: popularization and translation of the results worked out into the level of politics and practice: contributing to the employment policy and social integration (implementation parallel to Activity 2, in Poland, projects of Activity 3 are implemented from January 2007 until March 2008). 2 Topic A: Making it easier to enter and re-enter the labor market for persons who find it difficult to integrate or re-integrate on the labor market in order to promote a labor market which is open for everyone; Topic I: Assisting social and occupational integration of asylum seekers 1

102

103

Project name

Improvement of accommodation conditions and social support for asylum seekers and recognized refugees in Poland

Programme of psychological, legal and social counseling for persons applying for refugee status in Poland

State as of October 3rd, 2007

Office for Repatriation and Aliens

2.

54 

Caritas Polska

Beneficiary

1.

No.

PROGRAMME 2004

72 780.20

61 398.97

ERF grant amount (EUR)

1) modernization of buildings, in which refugees or asylum seekers are staying; 2) alleviation of influence of weather conditions, particularly in the winter period

1) Providing complex psychological, social and legal support for persons, who have filed an application for refugee status in the Republic of Poland and are staying at reception centers, detention centers, arrests, have been detained for the purpose of deportation and other outlets, as well as outside these outlets

Project objectives

1300

800

Number of beneficiaries

1) improvement of the system of ventilation and insulation of reception center in Czerwony Bor, 2) equipping aliens with clothes and shoes for the autumn and winter season to indirectly improve the health condition of the refugee community; in the first place, the beneficiaries includes: persons from special treatment groups like unaccompanied minors, single mothers with children, families with children, the elderly.

Within the framework of the project, the following was provided: 1) psychological assistance, 2) legal assistance, 3) social assistance, 4) activating activity in order to minimize the cultural shock, speed up the acculturation and social integration processes – through language courses, vocational courses, development of hobbies and interests to prevent isolation and promote individual and social development 5) special protection of women and children – e.g. assistance in terms of psychological and pedagogical diagnosis and therapy, material assistance for children (school articles) and women (clothes), taking care of pregnant women, supporting of the process of teaching children, additional classes for children, activation;

Project description

Table 37: Projects financed from the European Refugee Fund in the years 2004-200754

104

Voivode of Mazowsze

Law Clinic

4.

Beneficiary

3.

No.

University of Warsaw – Law Clinic for refugees

Supporting of integration of refugees and performance of social services on behalf of persons having refugee status in the area of mazowieckie voivodship

Project name

28 825.70

154 171.50

ERF grant amount (EUR)

1) Development and improvement of the integration offer for refugees, 2) improvement of access to psychological and legal consulting, particularly for groups subject to special treatment during the procedure, 3) ensuring legal and psychological counseling during the procedure for minors and other groups requiring special treatment

Supporting of integration of refugees and performance of social services on behalf of persons having refugee status in the area of mazowieckie voivodship

Project objectives

400

600

Number of beneficiaries

Providing free assistance for asylum seekers in Poland, particularly the unaccompanied minors

1) assessment of conditions of integration in all aspects such as cultural, social and economic factors influencing the process of integration of aliens in Poland and assessment of possibilities and state of preparation of public services and NGOs to render services on behalf of refugees, 2) creation of a system of monitoring of refugees in the integration process; it is based on gathering data at the individual level for each refugee and at the level of individual institutions offering services, e.g. teaching Polish; 3) training of staff of public institutions and NGOs, organization of a forum of exchange of information and experience; 4) implementation of an information and education programme, focused on issues associated with refugee problems, aimed at building of social awareness, 5) implementation of individual integration programmes by district family assistance centers, 6) organization of courses of Polish language, knowledge on Poland and vocational orientation, 7) social, vocational, legal and psychological counseling, 8) organization and management of rotational flats, counseling in the field of accommodation, housing assistance

Project description

105

Beneficiary

International Organization for Migration

Polish Medical Mission

No.

5.

6.

Medical assistance for aliens in refugee camps

Pilot project – voluntary repatriation and re-integration of aliens, who were not granted refugee status, asylum or temporary protection in Poland or withdrew from applying for it

Project name

58 160.40

42 579.76

ERF grant amount (EUR)

1) enabling specialist medical consultations, diagnostic tests and treatment of persons staying at reception centers, whose medical problems are beyond the basic medical care provided at the centers

1) providing voluntary repatriation and reintegration in country of origin

Project objectives

650

80

Number of beneficiaries Project description

1) organization of schedule of visits, 2) preparation of protocols of specialist consultations, 3) purchase of additional medical equipment and medications; 4) recruitment of doctors to create a team of specialists to conduct the consultations; 5) specialists conducted medical consultations and diagnostic tests 6) treatment of diagnosed patients was conducted

The following activities were implemented: 1) Distribution of information on the possibility of voluntary repatriation among the potential beneficiaries, 2) providing the interested aliens qualifying for participation with counseling and information on conditions of return, the current situation in the country of origin and assistance in settlement

106

Caritas of Warsaw Archdiocese

Office for Repatriation and Aliens

Halina Nieć Human Rights Association

2.

3.

Beneficiary

1.

No.

PROGRAMME 2005

Creation of an integrated system of legal assistance for aliens seeking protection, with particular emphasis on needs of the special treatment groups

Improvement of accommodation conditions and social support for asylum seekers and recognized refugees and social support to facilitate integration with local communities

Social, legal and psychological assistance for persons granted refugee status and tolerated stay permit

Project name

72 989.69

223 786.39

49 635.00

ERF grant amount (EUR)

1) improvement of access to legal counseling, mainly for special treatment groups during the procedure

1) Adaptation of selected centers for the groups with special needs 2) Development and improvement of integration offer for refugees

1) Development and improvement of the integration offer for refugees, 2) building of a system of integration objectives for persons granted the tolerated stay permit and implementation of specific assistance activities

Project objectives

Cat 1 – 561 Cat 2 – 9 Cat 3 – 143

Cat 1 – 0 Cat 2 – 0 Cat 3 – 3538

800

Number of beneficiaries Project description

1) preparation and implementation of the legal counseling system for refugees seeking protection in the territory of Poland, 2) providing legal assistance (office in: Krakow, Warsaw, Linin, Lesznowola) 3) Development of the legal services 4) Information campaign (leaflets in several languages distributed in NGOs and reception centers)

1) Purchase and distribution of clothing and shoes for about 6000 aliens applying for asylum or refugee status 2) providing of classes at reception centers of the Office, 3) Purchase of equipment for the kindergarten complex for the center in Linin, 4) creation of recreation areas for children in Podkowa Lesna – Debak center and Linin

1) creation of a complex system of psychological counseling, including psychological therapy and treatment for children and adults, 2) assessment of social work fields for persons granted tolerated stay permit and supporting them in terms of the observed social needs 3) legal assistance in enforcement of rights granted to persons having the tolerated status permit, 4) vocational counseling, 5) legal counseling in terms of business activity and self-employment, 6) environmental forms of assistance through development of voluntary work on behalf of children and youth, 7) a social campaign to propagate tolerance

107

Voivode of Mazowsze

Polish Humanitarian Action

Jagiellonian University Center for Human Rights

5.

6.

Beneficiary

4.

No.

Lawyers for refugees

Refugee.pl

Supporting of integration of refugees and performance of social services on behalf of persons having refugee status in the area of mazowieckie voivodship

Project name

86 625.62

69 722.40

147 000.00

ERF grant amount (EUR)

1) development and improvement of the integration offer for refugees, 2) improvement of access to legal and psychological counseling, especially for special care groups throughout the procedure, 3) providing legal and psychological counseling for minors and other special care groups during the procedure

1) Development and improvement of the integration offer for refugees, 2) building of a system of integration activities for persons granted the tolerated stay permit and implementation of specific assistance activities, 3) development of the integration policy concept in Poland

1) building of a concept of the integration policy, 2) building of a system of integration activities for persons granted the tolerated stay permit and implementation of specific assistance activities, 3) development and improvement of the integration offer for refugees

Project objectives

Cat 1 – 23 Cat 2 – 120 Cat 3 – 2141

Cat 1 – 400 Cat 2 – 1000 Cat 3 – 2500

Cat 1 – 373 Cat 2 – 112 Cat 3 – 0

Number of beneficiaries Project description

1. Providing free assistance and legal information for asylum seekers, 2) seminars for student volunteers, 3) preliminary trainings, 4) legal information for recognized refugees and persons granted tolerated status permit, 5) analysis of data on legal assistance, 6) organization of final meeting for all project partners for assessment of tasks implemented.

1) creation of a Web portal 2) printing of a newspaper, 3) shipment of bulletin, 4) trainings for journalists, 5) organization of Refugee Film Festival, 6) organization of Refugee Day events, 7) creation of information database, 8) informing public administration, local authorities and other entities engaged in integration of persons with tolerated stay permit of the rights of this group, 9) providing new qualifications through journalist trainings, 10) initiation of social dialogue and a discourse on refugees and their place in the society and responsibility of the state for supporting of their integration

1) Training on the rights and obligations and the system of functioning of the Polish state and society, 2) Polish language lessons combined with components of knowledge on Poland and vocational orientation, 3) two-day workshops for the staff working with aliens taking advantage of international protection, 4) anti-stress trainings for employees of District Family Assistance Centers, Social Assistance Centers and other institutions

108

Beneficiary

International Organization for Migration

Office for Repatriation and Aliens

No.

7.

8.

Creation of an IT application “Refugee” to monitor the issues associated with the social aspects of stay of aliens in Poland

Voluntary returns and reintegration of persons, who were not granted refugee status in Poland, with particular emphasis on special treatment groups

Project name

50 039.54

100 602.00

ERF grant amount (EUR) Cat 1 – 0 Cat 2 – 0 Cat 3 – 156

Number of beneficiaries

1) systematic increase of the number 3965 – estimated of places in refugee centers as needed, number of persons to 2) development and improvement of benefit in the future the integration offer for refugees from implementation of the application

1) implementation of voluntary returns

Project objectives

1) creation of an IT system, 2) implementation of application “Refugee” , 3) modernization of application “Stay”, 4) import of data 5) training of employees

1) preparation of information materials and distribution of information on the programme (leaflets and posters in several languages), 2) distribution of project information (information materials distributed in reception centers and NGOs), 3) counseling in the area of return (information on the current situation of the beneficiary in Poland and possibilities and conditions of return, reintegration assistance) 4) organization of return journey (assistance in obtaining the necessary documents and transport from the place of stay to destination in the country of return)

Project description

109

Voivode of Mazowsze

Caritas of Warsaw Archdiocese

2.

Beneficiary

1.

No.

PROGRAMME 2006

Social, legal and psychological assistance for persons having refugee status or a tolerated stay permit

Supporting of integration of refugees and performance of social services on behalf of persons having refugee status in the area of mazowieckie voivodship

Project name

78 117.00

192 000,00

ERF grant amount (EUR)

1) preparation of a complex system of social, psychological and legal assistance; 2) raising of qualifications of employees helping the final beneficiaries, 3) development of civic attitudes through information activities aimed at propagating tolerance and anti-discrimination behaviors towards refugees and persons granted the tolerated status permit.

1) Development and improvement of the integration offer for refugees in mazowieckie voivodship through continuation of the organized Polish language courses and introduction of a new offer of trainings fore refugees, initiating the implementation of the Individual Integration Programmes; 2) undertaking of initiative aimed at building in mazowieckie voivodship of a system of integration activities for persons having obtained permission for tolerated stay by including them in activity aimed at learning Polish language and obtaining information about Poland, vocational orientation and participation in trainings, 3) building of a concept of integration policy in Poland, both at the regional and domestic level

Project objectives

Cat 1 – 50 Cat 2 – 50 Cat 3 – 0

Cat 1 – 305 Cat 2 – 220 Cat 3 – 0

Number of beneficiaries

1) legal counseling, 2) regular updating of the database of job offers and employees, 3) psychological counseling and psychotherapy aimed at enabling adaptation in the society for persons with traumatic experiences and psychological disorders, 4) Russian and English language courses for the office employees, 5) implementation of the activities of informational character aimed at changing the attitudes of intolerance and discrimination in the Polish society against aliens subject to protection in the territory of the Republic of Poland – social campaign, 6) implementation of information activities aimed at broadening knowledge on recognized refugees and persons granted the tolerated stay permit within the framework of the Refugee Day celebration;

1) Training on the rights and obligations and the system of functioning of the Polish state and society, 2) implementation of Individual Integration Programmes, 3) learning Polish combined with knowledge about Poland and vocational orientation, 4) workshops for staff working with aliens granted international protection, 5) antistress trainings for employees of the District Family Assistance Centers, Social Assistance Centers and other institutions

Project description

110

Beneficiary

Halina Nieć Human Rights Association

No.

3.

Creation of an integrated system of legal assistance for aliens seeking protection, with particular emphasis on needs of the special treatment groups

Project name 164 350.00

ERF grant amount (EUR) 1) building of a system of free legal assistance for aliens searching protection, 2) working out of efficient procedures of identification and assistance for special treatment groups of aliens, 4) integration of legal assistance and social assistance, 4) strengthening of protection of the target group and raising of standards of treatment of these persons

Project objectives Cat 1 – 30 Cat 2 – 200 Cat 3 – 1400

Number of beneficiaries

1) preparation and implementation of a system of legal assistance for aliens searching for protection in the territory of the Republic of Poland, 2) providing free legal assistance to aliens searching for protection (offices in Krakow and Warsaw) 3) providing legal counseling for aliens searching for help (at the reception centers in Warsaw, Debak and Linin), 4) presence in the detention institutions (Supervised Center for aliens in Lesznowola, Arrest for Deportation – Warsaw – Okecie, supervised reception center in Przemysl) 5) providing legal assistance to special care aliens 6) development of the system of legal assistance for aliens searching for protection (through fundraising activities aimed at protection of continuity and proper functioning of the existing administrative resources; 7) conducting of information campaign 8) counseling and social work (translating of documents, editing of applications, filling out of forms, contact with the appropriate institutions, assistance in searching for work and accommodation, providing access to religious services, searching for relatives abroad, enabling use of phone and fax or the Internet; 9) material assistance (clothes, food, sanitary items), 10) assistance in accessing medical services (agency and interpretation in contacts with medical personnel, covering of additional treatment costs); 11) programme for women and children (purchase of school accessories, items for newborns, medical and social care for pregnant women, animation and recreation activities for children, pedagogical and consulting counseling with teachers);

Project description

111

Refugee Council GRANT CONTRACT WAS NOT SIGNED

Cartias Polska

Polish Humanitarian Action

Office for Repatriation and Aliens

5.

6.

7.

Beneficiary

4.

No.

Creation of database of information on countries of origin

Refugee.pl II

Providing complex psychological, social and legal assistance for asylum seekers and persons granted the tolerated stay permit

Database of information of the Refugee Council

Project name

35 250.00

122 100.00

88 641.77

-------------

ERF grant amount (EUR)

Cat 1 – 0 Cat 2 – 0 Cat 3 – 800 Cat 4 - 50

--------

Number of beneficiaries

l)improvement of gathering, searching and analysis of information on countries of origin of aliens; 2) improving the quality of refugee and asylum procedures through access to more broad, objective and updated information on the situation in the countries of origin of applicants, including the state of compliance with human rights regulations, 3) shortening of the asylum procedure thanks to quicker and better access to information on countries of origin of applicants – positive both for aliens themselves, who will get decisions faster, and for the state budget, as the period of stay at the refugee centers will be shorter;

1 database – difficult to assess the number of people, who will benefit from it

1) development and improvement of the Cat 1 – 500 integration offer for refugees; 2) creation Cat 2 – 2000 of a system of integration activities for Cat 3 – 3000 aliens granted the tolerated stay permit; 3) supporting social integration processes for aliens.

1) Providing complex psychological, social and legal assistance for asylum seekers and persons granted the tolerated stay permit 2) creation of a system of psychological assistance for refugees, 3) supporting of processes of social integration of aliens

------------------------

Project objectives

l)preparation of the database specification; 2) consultations concerning the technical parameters of the database; 3) preparation of a list of ready auxiliary software, 4) preparation of a joint technical and material specification serving as a basis for an order; 5) initiation of procedure for granting of a public procurement project to select the database implementing entity 6) completion of proceedings aimed at selection of the implementing entity 7) works on the database

1) organizing and maintenance of the portal Refugee.pl, 2) establishing and publication of the Refuge Guideline „Poland for You” 3) organization of the International Refugee Day Celebration; 4) organization of the film festival, showing movies on refugees;

1) psychological assistance; 2) legal assistance; 3) counseling and social work 4) integration activities – learning of Polish and English; corrective and compensatory classes, computer classes, activation courses for adults to get them familiar with the Polish culture; material assistance for beneficiaries, 6) publication of the information leaflet with basic information for beneficiaries, 7) propagation of project information, 8) preparation of a scientific article on refugee issues

------------------------

Project description

112

Beneficiary

Office for Repatriation and Aliens

Warsaw University Law Clinic

International Organization for Migration

No.

8.

9.

10.

Facilitation of integration on the labor market of persons granted the permit for tolerated stay in Poland – pilot programme

Lawyers for refugees II

Development of reception infrastructure for asylum seekers

Project name

18 060.95

125 931.92

214 374.00

ERF grant amount (EUR)

l)improvement of the state of knowledge of persons granted the tolerated stay permit in Poland; this knowledge is necessary for them to understand better their situation and undertake specific activities aimed at starting work; 2) creation of a model of inclusion of persons granted the tolerated stay permit in activities of the labor market for the purpose of professional activation of the unemployed and pilot implementation of the proposed solutions; 3) increased awareness among the employers of the situation of the target group;

1) improvement of the asylum procedure through better access to legal counseling for persons aiming at getting refugee status in Poland, taking into account particularly the unaccompanied minors, disabled persons and single parents; 2) improvement of the integration offer for persons, who have obtained refugee status or tolerated stay permit by providing them with reliable legal information;

1) establishing of a branch office near the eastern border along with the necessary infrastructure to ensure better and quicker access of aliens to administrative workers; 2) improvement of asylum procedure – long and complex procedures to be much shorter, and their cost is to become much lower; 3) lowering of costs associated with transport of aliens to the Office for Repatriation and Aliens to conduct the interview and file the application;

Project objectives

Cat 1 - 0 Cat 2 - 250 Cat 3-0

Cat 1 - 35 Cat 2-60 Cat 3 – 1400

Cat 1 - 0; Cat 2-0; Cat 3-1000;

Number of beneficiaries

l)creation of a Consultation Outlet – beneficiaries will be able to obtain information on their situation in Poland, browse through Internet job offers, get assistance in devising of application documents; 2) publication of an Informational Brochure (in Russian and Chechen language); 3) distribution of the Informational Brochure to reception centers and NGOs helping aliens; 4) Polish lessons for beneficiaries, 5) referral to professional activation classes at the Labor Club; 6) information meetings for selected beneficiaries,

1) providing free legal information and counseling for asylum seekers; 2) organization of seminars for student volunteers; 3) legal information for recognized refugees; 4) analysis of data on legal assistance;

l)preparation and initiation of the public procurement tender procedure; 2) conducting of the tender procedure; 3)selection of contractor 4)delivery of site to contractor; 5)supervision of construction works 6) acceptance of construction works

Project description

113

Caritas Polska

Voivode of Mazowsze

International Organization for Migration

2.

3.

Beneficiary

1.

No.

PROGRAMME 2007

Voluntary returns and reintegration of persons, who were not granted refugee status in Poland, with particular emphasis on special treatment groups – phase 2

----------

Pre-integration of asylum seekers and integration of aliens granted the tolerated stay permit and refugee status. Social, psychological and legal assistance.

Project name

149 875.18

Contract has not been signed

192 000.00

ERF grant amount (EUR)

1) informing beneficiaries of the option of voluntary return; 2) organizing of voluntary return for no more than 500 aliens; 3) providing the returning aliens with assistance in resettlement (reintegration assistance)

-----------

1) improvement, increasing of quality and acceleration of the asylum procedure; 2) strengthening of support of the alien integration process for persons applying for international protection in Poland and entitled to it

Project objectives

Cat 1 – 0 Cat 2 –0 Cat 3 – 500

-------------

Cat 1 – 50 Cat 2 – 100 Cat 3 – 1000

Number of beneficiaries

1) preparation of information materials and distribution of information on voluntary return possibilities; 2) individual counseling on returning, 3) organization of return journey – assistance in getting travel documents and in organization of transport; 4) material assistance for reintegration, which is to be paid after return to the country of origin; 5) for coordination of activities and increasing of their effectiveness, a coordination meeting with IOM office in Moscow will be organized.

-------------------

1) improved access to legal and psychological assistance, particularly for special treatment groups during the procedure – legal and psychological counseling, 2) building of a concept of integration policy in Poland – through meetings, surveys, conferences to gather experiences helpful in preparation of the concept of the integration policy, 3) development and improvement of the integration offer for refugees – by motivating them to actively search for jobs, raise qualifications, organize vocational courses 4) building of a system of integration activities for persons with tolerated stay permit and implementation of specific assistance activities, e.g. systematic assistance in learning, recreation for refugee children combined with Polish language, computer and foreign language classes, getting familiar with Polish and European culture

Project description

114

Halina Nieć Human Rights Association

Office for Repatriation and Aliens

Warsaw University Law Clinic

4.

5.

6.

------------

Development of the migration and asylum procedure

Supporting access to asylum procedure through monitoring and legal assistance

Project name

Contract has not been signed

805 634.00

77 120.25

ERF grant amount (EUR)

-------------

1) systematic increase in the number of places at the reception centers as needed, 2) adaptation of selected centers for the needs of special treatment groups

1) improved access to legal and psychological counseling; particularly for special treatment groups, 2) providing legal and psychological counseling for minors and other special treatment groups

Project objectives

--------------

Cat 1 – 0 Cat 2 –0 Cat 3 – 1000

Cat 1 – 0 Cat 2 –0 Cat 3 – 550

Number of beneficiaries

--------------------

1) creation of a center along with the necessary infrastructure and a possibility of accommodating 180 people, including women and children, single mothers, persons with special needs and unaccompanied minors and providing close contact with family members for the detained and arrested aliens; 2) implementation of a part of the Schengen Action Plan through development of the migration and asylum procedure near the external border of the European Union; 3) improvement of the conditions of stay of aliens awaiting the decision on refugee status granting.

1) strengthening of protection of beneficiaries through improved access to counseling and legal information at detention institutions; 2) monitoring and evaluation of access to asylum procedure in Poland through visits in detention centers and supervised centers for aliens; such monitoring will allow for identification of areas of potential threats and gaps in protection and evaluation of the entire system, as well as identification of the potential ways of improving defective practices and legal solutions

Project description

2

number of beneficiaries planned in the project number of beneficiaries according to art. 3 of the Decision; number of beneficiaries attained during the project implementation 3 number of beneficiaries according to art. 3 of the Decision; number of end beneficiaries planned in the project 4 number of beneficiaries according to art. 3 of the Decision; number of end beneficiaries planned in the project

1

Beneficiary

No.

Other Programme for Individual Adaptation of Recognized Refugees in Poland (PIA)55 PIA was devised at the Refugee Reception Center in Nadarzyn – Dębak, and – according to its authors – it was supposed to be an “experiment”. It was implemented from December 1st, 1995, until February 28th, 1998, from the budget funds of the refugee center in Nadarzyn – Dębak. Since PIA no longer functions, information on it has been provided in the chapter “Other”. The objective of PIA was to prepare the recognized refugees to undertake a fully independent life in Poland. Granting of financial assistance was conditioned by meeting two conditions: having a legal place of residence – being validly registered, and initiation of activities aimed at finding a job and registration at the District Labor Office. PIA provided financial assistance for recognized refugees for the period of 9 months with the possibility of its further extension for 6 months. Assistance was supposed to be used for covering of food, accommodation and other expenses. The financial assistance was 250 to 450 PLN depending on the number of persons in the family and the month of implementation of PIA. A refugee participating in the Programme could receive a single-time financial assistance for management in accordance with the following rules: • a single person, family of 2 – PLN 300 / person/ month • a family of 3 – PLN 250 / person/ month • a family of 4 to 6 – PLN 200 / person/ month Refugees studying at universities (as well as students of post-elementary schools) were able to take advantage of scholarships amounting to net PLN 150 periodically or throughout the entire period of participation in PIA. In special cases, it was possible to take advantage of a care benefit for sick persons, periodically or throughout the entire period of implementation of PIA, in the amount of net PLN 150 / month upon the request of the interested person and on the basis of a doctor’s certificate. The net value of contracts concluded with refugees in PIA in the period from 15.03.1996 until 31.01.1998 amounted to PLN 769,490.00. Additionally, the net value of other benefits in this period amounted to PLN 586, 775.00. Regulations of the Programme of Individual Adaptation of Recognized Refugees in Poland (PIA), Center for Refugees in Nadarzyn and Report from implementation of the Programme of Individual Adaptation of Refugees in Poland in the period of 15.03.1996 – 28.02.1998, Central Reception Center for Refugees in Podkowa Leśna – Dębak, Warsaw, March 1998, documents from the Library of the Office for foreigners in Warsaw. In total, refugees filed 329 applications for including in PIA. 272 of these were approved. 55 

115

Table 38: Country of origin of foreigners joining PIA: No.

116

Country of origin

Number of refugees

1.

Afghanistan

15

2.

Algeria

3

3.

Armenia

5

4.

Belarus

3

5.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

37

7.

Ethiopia

2

8.

Federation Republic of Yugoslavia

4

9.

Georgia

5

11.

Iraq

24

12.

Iran

3

13.

Yugoslavia

4

14.

Cameroon

6

16.

Liberia

5

18.

Russia

5

19.

Romania

7

20.

Rwanda

3

21.

Somalia

109

22.

Sri Lanka

17

23.

Sudan

8

25.

Other

9

Total:

272

Table 39: Status associated with employment/ education of refugees participating in PIA: No.

Status

Number of refugees

1.

School students

15

2.

University students

13

3.

Employed

20

4.

Registered at the Local Labor Office (RUP)

52

5.

Post-productive age or disabled

44

6.

No data*

128

Total:

272

* foreigners who after receiving the first benefit did not provide a confirmation of registration at the Labor Office

Table 40: PIA participants according to place of residence (former voivodships): No.

Region of residence of refugee

Number of refugees

1.

Białostockie

2

2.

Bielsko-Bialskie

18

3.

Gdańskie

1

4.

Katowickie

2

5.

Krakowskie

4

6.

Jeleniogórskie

1

7.

Lubelskie

11

8.

Łomżyńskie

6

9.

Łódzkie

1

10.

Opolskie

1

11.

Poznańskie

12

12.

Siedleckie

2

13.

Skierniewickie

3

14.

Warszawskie

94

15.

Wrocławskie

8

16.

No data available

106

Total:

272

117

Polish-Dutch Pre-Accession Twinning MATRA 02/PL/9/3 entitled “Devising and implementation of the Polish refugee integration policy”, conducted from April 2003 until June 2004. The twinning partners representing the Netherlands were the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, and for Poland – the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. The twinning budget was 375 000 EUR. Twinning objectives: • proposal of an integrated policy of the authorities with regard to refugee integration; • institutional and competence development in the selected voivodships; • pilot programmes conducted in three voivodships: Lubelskie, Mazowieckie and Podlaskie; • popularization of knowledge and information in other voivodships. Twinning did not provide a financial or any other direct support for foreigners in Poland. The funds were designated mainly for personnel training and exchange of knowledge between partners. The effect of twinning was also a publication on refugee integration in Poland. Within the framework of the project, 4 expert teams were established, aimed at working out the following issues: Team 1: integrated policy of the authorities and proposed law amendments; Team 2: the system of registration, reporting and monitoring for the needs of refugee integration; Team 3: educational programmes for learning the Polish language, combined with assistance in entering the labor market; Team 4: participation of volunteers in integration programmes and operation of NGOs.

118

Summary and conclusions

Integration – a process difficult to define, which consists in entering new society by a refugee – is an issue which can hardly be described with the use of statistical data. Integration is after all mostly a toilsome process, requiring the effort of the refugee that would lead to him or her to have the feeling of belonging to the new place, city, country. Many years of experience of various European states, as well as several years of experience of Poland in this respect, show, however, that in order to make integration possible, a refugee needs assistance –first of all, in learning the language of the new country, as well as in getting a job and finding a place to live. Searching for knowledge on refugee integration in Poland, the authors attempted to find data on this support – in terms of learning the Polish language, continuing education, getting an occupation, a job or a place of residence. The main findings of our review of the situation are: • There is no complex data collection system regarding aliens granted protection in Poland. In the first place, analysis of the available data shows that the amount of data on integration of refugees and migrants in Poland is relatively small (at the same time we acknowledge that we were provided information beyond expectations in some areas). In general, relevant information is incomplete, it is not collected consistently and it often cannot be compared. This leads to difficulties in obtaining a clear description of the situation. In many cases, data presented in this publication illustrates only the tendencies, the general difficulties in a described field – but it cannot be treated as “hard data”, reliably illustrating the state of affairs on a national scale. • The scope of integration assistance available is too narrow, and geographically limited mainly to Warsaw The information gathered, although fragmentary, shows that in the recent years, the scope of integration assistance for refugees and migrants in Poland has increased considerably, mainly thanks to the European funds. A great majority of the assistance initiatives, however, are located in Warsaw. This is one of the reasons why only a small percentage of the entitled foreigners take advantage of assistance – in the case of some forms of support, it is less than one percent! In addition, a short overview of the support provided to foreigners in the context of the labour market shows that there are very few proposals of trainings that they could indeed benefit from (due to language barrier). Social workers indicate that some trainings offered to refugees do not in reality improve their chances on the labour market, not being adequate to the refugees’ needs. An area where state support fails completely – is accommodation. In 2001-2007,

120

when 1955 foreigners received refugee status, only 80 appartments were made available to this group. Lack of a safe space to live is a basic problem of foreigners granted protection in Poland. Little chance to receive such a place also act as a demotivating factor for many larger or incomplete families to see Poland as a longterm country of residence – they are not able to make enough money to secure housing for themselves on commercial basis. • Foreigners do not benefit from the support that is available According to many social workers, low percentage of foreigners taking advantage of available assistance is also a result of low motivation of foreigners to make the effort to integrate in Poland – because many of them do not intend to stay here. And although the number of refugees who want to learn Polish language or participate in vocational courses in Poland, has been growing systematically – it still constitutes only a small part of the group of persons who are granted protection in this country. A serious gap in the functioning integration system is the method of teaching of Polish language – the refugees start to study the language too late, often after a few years spent at the reception center, and the language learning offer is too narrow (courses are available mostly in the Mazowieckie voivodship). The data collected indicates that only 8,5 percent of asylum seekers, and about a half of recognized refugees benefitting from Individual Programs of Integration attend Polish language classes. As a result, many foreigners granted protection do not take advantage of the available forms of assistance, because many of them are accessible only to those who speak Polish. • Lack of motivation of refugees? The social workers underline the low motivation of asylum seekers to learn the language or new professional skills – perhaps, the main element of integration assistance should be working on this motivation level? Many professionals quoted in research papers used to prepare this publication highlight that the refugees do not believe that starting a new life in dignity for themselves and their families in Poland is indeed possible. They do not see a possibility to find a job in Poland that would make it realistic for a family to pay for accommodation and become self-sufficient. Foreigners are also not well-informed about their right, or potential outcomes of various life decisions: for example, consequences of (illegal) departure from Poland. To change the current situation, intense social work with refugees and asylum seekers is necessary. The slowly developing pre-integration activities, conducted in two reception centers in Poland, should become a standard, and not an experiment. Foreigners, especially those with low motivation, need support – in the first place – in understanding well their new legal situation, their rights and possibilities, as well as the way of functioning of the society in which they live – in order

121

to be able to function within it. The present number of social workers employed at the reception centers (at the end of 2007, one employee often took care of a group of even 250 to 300 people, according to the Office for Foreigners), does not allow foreigners in any way to understand the way of living in Poland – and the possibilities that they have as refugees. And it is this time – spent in reception facilities – that forms the asylum seekers perception of Poland as a potential country of their future. Refugee integration requires not only more language courses, better support of foreigners on the labor market – but, in the first place, a competent personnel which will allow foreigners to understand well their situation in Poland and start to take advantage of available assistance. Instead of complaining for the low motivation of refugees, it would be useful to reflect on the situation of those, who do intend to settle in Poland, and help those persons become self-reliant. High secondary movement of recognized refugees from Poland (to other European countries) seem to de-motivate Polish institutions responsible for integration, strengthening common belief that the refugees just do not want to integrate in Poland. Yet, as information presented in this book clearly illustrates, there are refugees that do find a new home in Poland. There are more and more of those who want to learn the Polish language, increasing number of protected foreigners seek and find jobs, the number of refugee pupils at Polish schools grows, too. Discussing integration of refugees in Poland it seems to be more reasonable to accept the fact, that not everyone plans to stay in Poland – but focus on searching for solutions and support for those, that do.

122

Annex Data unavailable

Analyzing the available data on refugee integration, the authors recorded lack of the following types of statistical data: • Refugees in Poland – no institution working with refugees possesses data on refugees living in Poland (we do not know how many refugees live in Poland and where). There is no publicly available data on the population of refugees granted protection in a given year (no data on their gender and age); • Unaccompanied minors – the present system of collecting data on this group does not provide satisfactory knowledge. At present, the number of children filing applications for asylum on their own includes both children who came to Poland alone, and children born in the reception centers in full families (when the parents filed the application before the child was born); • Education – lack of complex data on education for recognized refugees and persons granted the tolerated stay permits. This problem has been solved already, as starting in year 2007, this data is to be gathered by the Educational Information system; lack of information on refugees and persons granted the tolerated stay permits at the higher education levels (secondary schools, universities); • Labor market – lack of comparable nationwide data pertaining to the presence of foreigners on the Polish labor market, particularly data pertaining to the nationality and legal status of foreigners registered as unemployed and taking advantage of assistance when entering the labor market; lack of information on the types of support for the unemployed, granted to refugees subject to protection; • Individual Integration Programmes – lack of comparable nationwide data on age, gender and duration of individual integration programmes (IPI) for recognized refugees. Each voivodship in which IPI are implemented, collects statistical data for its own needs; it is partially incomparable with data from other voivodships, while data on the Polish language courses is incomplete and fragmentary; there is no information on effects of learning, as well as nationwide data on the amounts designated for Polish lessons and information on the institutions implementing the schooling obligation. • Social Assistance – the available data is fragmentary. Lack of information on nationality and legal status of foreigners taking advantage of this kind of assistance.

124