{"id":6652,"date":"2022-04-12T15:59:02","date_gmt":"2022-04-12T14:59:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uniglobalunion.org\/?post_type=news&p=6652"},"modified":"2022-04-12T16:10:44","modified_gmt":"2022-04-12T15:10:44","slug":"uni-support-for-ukrainian-refugees-continues-with-helpline","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/uniglobalunion.org\/news\/uni-support-for-ukrainian-refugees-continues-with-helpline\/","title":{"rendered":"UNI support for Ukrainian refugees continues with helpline"},"content":{"rendered":"
A new helpline for Ukrainian refugees, supported by UNI Global Union, is up and running and providing advice for people looking for work in Poland.<\/p>\r\n
The helpline, which started at the beginning of April, is part of a support programme called \u2018Unions Help Refugees\u2019 set up by UNI\u2019s Warsaw-based Central European organizing centre, COZZ, in conjunction with UNI affiliates in Poland.<\/p>\r\n
More than 2.5 million refugees<\/a>, mostly women and children, have fled to Poland since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February. While some refugees move on to other countries, most stay and are eager to find work. However, it\u2019s not easy. Nadia Oleszczuk, programme coordinator and president of the youth section of UNI\u2019s Polish care affiliate, OPZZ KP, said:<\/p>\r\n \u201cAt present, many women from Ukraine don\u2019t get a contract when taking up employment in Poland or even get paid during a trial period. They need someone to help them who knows the Polish language well, knows basic labour law rules and is able to help them negotiate with the employer.\u201d<\/p>\r\n COZZ has recruited a team of people, which includes Ukrainian and Russian speakers, who have been trained on the legal status, registration and employment of refugees in Poland. The helpline aims to prevent the exploitation refugees by offering guidance to people on what to expect in terms of a fair contract and provide assistance for those who want to negotiate their working conditions or don\u2019t feel safe at the workplace, amongst other advice.<\/p>\r\n COZZ director Rafal Tomasiak, added:<\/p>\r\n \u201cThere are many barriers to getting work, not least learning Polish and getting used to a new environment. Primarily refugees are looking for a job that does not require language skills or complex skills \u2013 even if they previously had a more qualified role. We believe the helpline will enable these workers to get the best outcome possible. We\u2019re encouraging all the refugees searching for work to organize, join a union and help others.\u201d<\/p>\r\n One of the first places people look for a job is on social media and COZZ has set up a Unions Help Refugees Facebook page<\/a> as another way to reach out to refugees.<\/p>\r\n