"Well, we all come here for money" : reasons for and effects of labour migration from Estonia and Poland

Abstract

East-West migration had an increase after the enlargement of EU with ten Central and Eastern European countries in May 2004. Despite the increased number of emigrants from Eastern Europe, few studies have been made to explore the effects of migration for the sender country. This study explores qualitatively the “push” and “pull” factors of emigration from Estonia and Poland to Norway, and the effects of emigration for the country of origin. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 16 respondents from Estonia and Poland. Two key respondent interviews with one Estonian and Polish respondent were conducted in addition. The main “push” factors were low salaries and lack of economical opportunities in the home country. Other factors influencing migration decisions were bad working conditions, lack of worker’s rights and unemployment in the home country. Employment opportunities in the receiving country, having friends in the host country, and looking for an adventure, were “pull” factors mentioned by the respondents. Historical ties between the countries, proximity and easier immigration policies after the enlargement of EU, also influence migration decisions. Increased immigration can have some negative effects for the immigrants – misuse by the employers. This happens through lacking overtime and holiday payment, and bad working conditions. Lack of workers is one of the effects of migration which can lead to reduction in the economic growth in the home country. There is already a shortage of nurses, doctors and engineers in Estonia and Poland. The dimension of this type of emigration – “brain drain” – is uncertain according to the respondents. Importing workers from other countries can lead to integration problems in the countries of emigration. This is the case in Estonia. Emigration has also some positive effects, called “brain gain”. These effects appear through knowledge and experiences of the returned migrants. Money transfers to the home country, and using the money for locally produced goods and services promotes positively the economy in the home country. Emigration has lead to the decrease in unemployment in Poland. Another positive effect is increase of salaries in the sending countries. Raised salaries, improved worker’s rights and better social security systems are some of the things that would attract the migrants return, and make the workers stay in the home country.