Integration of Polish workers in Norway : the role of labour unions

Abstract

The research tries to answer how LUs could contribute to the integration of Poles into the Norwegian labour market. It tries to specify the special needs of those workers and ways in which labour Unions tried to meet them. The study analyzes impact of actions taken by the labour union and tries to determine what kind of influence, on the relations between Poles and labour unions, can have the fact that large number of Polish workers is employed by temporary work agencies. The study was conducted in Oslo county among members of Oslo Construction Workers Union. This organization is known as the one that noticed large successes in recruiting immigrants. Findings show that there are problems with communication channels. Those used by the union differ from those that are demanded by Poles. The difference between those types of communication is constituted by division on activities and 'presence' of the labour union. The study also analyzes special need voiced by the respondents: postulate of information, lack of accreditation of professional skills and vocational education, the case of 'fixing contracts' by the labour union in temporary work agencies and disparity between formal and informal positions performed at workplace. All those needs aren't however answered yet. Result of this state is disappointment of Poles. The study forms the core category - the formality hypothesis, which describes the way that labour union can influence integration of Poles into the labour market.