The publication explores the precarious situation of economic migrants from Ukraine in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic. It pays special attention to domestic workers from Ukraine who provide care for the elderly and chronically ill. These are usually women who work in private homes of the people in their care, often without any formal contract.

Particularly vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic, the face a number of risks:

• On the one hand, some may lose their jobs as employers may be afraid that they transmit COVID-19 to their family members. And since they usually work informally, they are not entitled to any unemployment benefits.
• On the other hand, some employers may pressure them to live with them. This may lead to the workers' isolation and may pose a risk of abuse against the employee.
• Moreover, at times of pandemic, migrants often lose support from places of worship, NGOs and other institutions as they are closed.
• Another problem is the lack of adequate personal protective equipment for domestic workers and training on how to protect themselves and the people for whom they care.

The Anti-Crisis Shield does not provision for any support for those who work informally or who lose their informal jobs. But all foreigners, regardless of their legal status, have access to diagnosis and treatment related to COVID-19 free of charge. Even in situations when they do not have health insurance. Unfortunately, not all foreigners are aware of this right due to the lack of a proper information campaigns concerning this issue.

The Polish Border Guard and the Ukrainian embassy estimate that from mid-March to the end of April, between 150 000 and 180 000 Ukrainians have left Poland due to the pandemic. Among them were also essential workers, including caregivers.

Download the publication here.