Poland’s Economy Would “Stop Overnight” Without Ukrainian Workers, Ministry Official Warns

Polish Economy Facing Total Paralysis Without Ukrainian Workforce

The Polish economy would grind to a halt overnight if all Ukrainian workers and war refugees walked off the job, according to a senior government official. Maciej Duszczyk, deputy minister of the interior and administration, issued the stark assessment during an interview on the television program Gość Wydarzeń, highlighting how deeply foreign labor is woven into the fabric of Poland’s daily commerce, transit, and infrastructure.

“If it were not for the citizens of Ukraine, we would wait for a bus 10 minutes instead of five, because they fill gaps on the Polish labor market,” Duszczyk said, as reported by Finance.ua. He added that a generalized strike by Ukrainian workers would bring nationwide economic activity to a standstill, noting their ubiquitous presence in commercial bakeries, discount retail chains, construction sites, and public transport networks across the country.

The remarks shed light on the complex socioeconomic realities shaping Poland’s labor market amid an ongoing influx of displaced persons fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.

Sustaining Vital Supply Chains and Municipal Services

According to the interior ministry, the integration of Ukrainian nationals extends far beyond temporary seasonal employment. Duszczyk pointed out that foreign workers sustain vital supply chains and urban services that native populations rely on daily. Without this workforce, labor shortages would ripple immediately through essential services, from municipal transit systems to retail logistics.

Political Friction Over Conscription-Age Demographics

This heavy reliance contrasts sharply with periodic political proposals regarding military-age men residing abroad. Duszczyk specifically criticized plans floated by the Law and Justice (PiS) party aimed at deporting unemployed Ukrainian men of conscription age. Public discussions around such measures have frequently cited figures around 3,000 individuals, a number the deputy minister dismissed as negligible compared to the hundreds of thousands mobilized in Ukraine.

“Three thousand is a small brigade,” Duszczyk stated, noting that many Ukrainians currently not active in the Polish workforce include individuals caring for disabled children or soldiers recovering from frontline combat injuries.

Navigating Repatriation and Long-Term Integration

The debate over foreign workers unfolds against a backdrop of shifting public opinion.

Addressing the question of post-war repatriation, Duszczyk noted that historical precedent suggests predicting refugee return rates is complex. He explained that families who enroll their children in local schools, acquire language proficiency, and integrate into the formal labor market develop deep community roots, making a mass return unlikely without powerful economic or social incentives in their home country.