Help for Ukraine Refugees – assumptions of the special Act on Support for Ukraine and its Amendment.
Poland has passed a Special Act on Help for Ukraine. Ukraine refugees arriving in Poland can stay legally in Poland for 18 months. The Bill also provides for further legalization of these refugees. Refugees whose stay is or was considered legal, will be issued Temporary Residence Permits for 3 years, counting from the day the decision is issued.
PESEL (ID number) is also issued to Ukraine citizens, which make it possible for them to have fuller access to a number of public services. The process of issuing PESEL is simplified and it is not necessary to present any legal basis when applying for it. Refugees can also have access to many public services online by using their “trusted profile”.
Access to the Labor Market
Ukraine citizens also have access to the Polish Labor Marketand they can register in the County Employment Office. They also have access to such services as employment services, career guidance and training. The employment procedures were also simplified. The Polish employer must within 7 days – on website praca.gov pl – report giving employment to a foreigner.
The planned Amendment to the Act pays special attention to supporting employment activation, by organizing help in job search and providing child care for working parent, especially for the youngest children (3-5 years old).
The Amendment also provides for Polish Language Training limiting it to 2,000 zl per person. The Training is financed by the Employment Fund. Every Ukraine Refugee can participate in one course.
Better Protection of Foreigners on the Labor Market.
The Amendment will guarantee that the working conditions of the employed Ukraine citizens are in accordance with the job description and job notification filed by the employer. The employer also must comply with the working time and the salaries paid.
Social Welfare and Support
Ukraine citizens can apply for a one-time financial support which is 300 zl per person. They can also receive food packages and meals, through the Operational Program Food Aid 2014-2020 co-financed by The Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD).
Ukraine citizens who want to work in Poland can count on social aid and co-financing of nursery or daycare center.
Health Service
The National Health Fund gives full access to public health service to all Ukraine citizens whose stay in Poland is legal.The access is exactly the same as for Polish citizens. The cost of medical care in Public Health Service is fully covered by the Polish government.
Education
The Polish government has allocated funds to support Ukraine student refugees. New locations are created for school and kindergarten education of Ukraine children. These locations are supervised by schools and kindergartens.
Ukraine university students can continue their education in Polish higher education facilities. The above legal regulations do not apply either to Polish or other EU country citizens.
