Comparison of Polish and Latvian low-skilled labour immigration policy

Abstract

There is significant evidence that attributes Polish economic growth to immigration employment. Given recent attention to the lack of workforce in Latvia to complete low-skilled labour gaps, the discussion has emerged about attracting labour force from third countries. The thesis compares the Latvian and Polish legislative framework of employment immigration by utilizing adjusted immigration policy comparison framework as developed by de Haas et al. (2015) as part of DEMIG POLICY database. The methodology allows to identify differences across certain policy areas and policy tools. Consequently, the feedback is collected from the Latvian employer and employee representatives about the derived differences. As a result of legal framework analysis, it is concluded that Poland has less restrictive legislative norms, therefore, interviewees are asked to assess whether, in general, Latvian immigration legislation with respect to low-skilled employment should be less-restrictive. The views of both, employee and employer representatives, are reviewed in the light of empirical research on economic consequences of employment immigration. In addition, their assessment about the feasibility to introduce certain Polish legal norms in the context of Latvia is analyzed. The paper gives insight into the Latvian employer and employee perspective on Polish legislative framework for low-skilled labour immigration.