Activity 3: Labour Rights and Social Engagement

Learn about your labour rights.

The third activity of the “INTEURO Profession – a programme for the professional and social activation of foreigners” project focuses on labour rights, social engagement and opportunities for foreign women and men to participate in organisations operating in Poland.

Employment is not only about professional skills. It is also important to know your rights, understand employment rules, know how to respond to problems in the workplace and be aware of the support available from social, workers’ and industry organisations.

As part of this activity, participants will be able to learn about non-governmental organisations, trade unions, industry organisations, social economy entities and other forms of association. This is important for people who want to protect their rights more effectively, meet other people, become socially active or develop their own initiatives.

Why are labour rights important?

Knowledge of labour rights helps people function more safely on the labour market. It makes it easier to understand what should be included in an employment contract, what responsibilities employers and employees have, when to ask about employment conditions and where to seek help if problems arise.

It is also important for foreign women and men to understand that there are various organisations in Poland that can support employees, jobseekers, people involved in social activities and groups wishing to work together to protect their rights and interests.

This activity helps participants move from passively receiving support towards greater independence and engagement. Participants can gain a better understanding of how social and professional life functions in Poland and how they can take an active part in it.

What support is available?

Workshops on the rights of foreigners and forms of association

The workshops will focus on how foreign women and men can exercise their labour rights and participate in social and workers’ organisations in Poland.

During the workshops, participants will learn about various forms of association in Poland, including non-governmental organisations, trade unions, industry organisations and social economy entities. An important element will also be a discussion of the rights of foreigners regarding membership and participation in such organisations.

The workshops will help participants understand the difference between a non-governmental organisation and a trade union, what an industry organisation does, how a social economy entity operates and what benefits active participation in such structures can provide.

Consultations on joining an organisation

People who wish to become actively involved in workers’, social or industry organisations will be able to benefit from free consultations. This support helps participants move from general knowledge to specific action.

Consultations may include assistance in choosing an organisation, explaining membership rules, preparing a membership declaration, contacting the organisation, discussing formal requirements and providing support during the first steps of social or workers’ engagement.

This will help participants understand where to seek support, how to express their intention to join an organisation, what rights and responsibilities are associated with membership and how such engagement may help them in their professional and social life.

Support in starting your own social initiative

The project also provides support for people who would like to develop their own social initiative, organisation or group working for the benefit of employees, foreigners or the local community.

Support may cover the procedure for establishing an organisation in Poland, legal and organisational foundations, preparing documents, working on statutes or regulations, planning activities and beginning the registration process.

This option is intended for people who want not only to receive support, but also to actively contribute to their local community, help others, develop grassroots initiatives or represent the interests of a particular group.

Study visits and open meetings

Study visits and open meetings will also be an important part of this activity. They will provide an opportunity to see how organisations, universities, institutions, social economy entities and local initiatives operate.

During these meetings, participants will be able to meet representatives of organisations, learn what their daily work involves, what activities they carry out and how they can join or cooperate with them.

The visits and meetings will also support integration with the local community, the exchange of experience and the development of networks that may be useful in employment, education and social activities.

Educational materials

Participants will be able to use practical educational materials prepared as part of the project. The materials will support both preparation for entering the labour market and the development of social engagement and understanding of different forms of association in Poland.

The materials may include information about trade unions, industry organisations, NGOs and social economy entities, the rights of foreigners to participate in organisations, the benefits of membership and practical instructions on joining an organisation or starting an initiative of their own.

What can you gain?

Who is this activity intended for?

The activity is intended for foreign women and men who want to better understand their rights in Poland, function more safely on the labour market and learn about opportunities for social, workers’ or industry engagement.

It is intended for people who are employed, looking for work, attending school or university, interested in social engagement, planning to join an organisation or considering establishing their own initiative that responds to the needs of foreigners, employees or the local community.

The support is provided by

Integration Europe – East Association

as part of the public task entitled

“INTEURO Profession – a programme for the professional and social activation of foreigners”.