What collaborative lessons can be learnt from the recent Polish migration? The trade union story

Abstract

This conference paper discusses the Polish migration noting that its unprecedented scope and extent left many organisations unprepared. Thus business recognised that the migration was an opportunity, whilst many government and public sector agencies found it difficult to support the social and legal needs of new Polish workers. NGOs and trade unions readily identified social justice issues and began to assist those who needed help. All in some way implemented short-term crisis management approaches and formed often short-term collaborations. This paper argues that the lessons learnt here should now be used to deal with the current economic crisis