Labour market integration

In cooperation with LO, the Danish Ministry for Employment and the relevant employers, The Danish Employment Relations Research Centre (FAOS) has carried  out a study of the pay- working- and living conditions among Polish migrant workers in Greater Copenhagen. The findings of the survey are based on interviews with 500 Polish workers in Copenhagen.

Among other things, the survey looks at the integration of the Polish workers on the Danish labour market.

According to the study, the Polish workers know very little of the Danish labour market model; Almost half of them don’t know if their work is covered by a collective agreement. Close to three out of four have never been in contact with a Danish trade union and only 11% of the Poles in Greater Copenhagen are members of a Danish trade union. Meanwhile, the Poles are mostly positive towards Danish trade unions and as many a 63% of them believe that they would have had fewer problems in Denmark if they had been members of a trade union.

The survey also shows that collective agreement coverage, trade union membership and the presence of shop stewards help ensure better wages and more normal work hours for the Polish workers. 
Click here for a summation of the survey in English