The government has closed the borders, and people returning home from abroad must undergo a 14-day quarantine. This is a huge problem for Poles who work in Germany. Mr Piotr from Lubań, who works as a conductor on the German railway, is forced to take medical leave. And, as he himself says, despite having an employment contract, he may also be dismissed.
– The dilemma facing Poles is very serious. Many people work in sectors that are currently urgently needed: transport, bakeries and medical services. Doctors and caregivers for the elderly face a major dilemma: should they return to Poland or stay on the other side? – says Mr Piotr. – It is extremely stressful.
As the resident of Lubań emphasizes, cross-border workers are worried about what else the Polish government may come up with for them. – There was a lack of empathy. Laws are pulled out like rabbits from a hat – he adds.
For many cross-border workers, the current situation requires turning their lives upside down. Situations such as renting an apartment have become problematic. As the conductor from Lubań emphasizes, this is much more difficult in Germany than in Poland, because time-consuming procedures apply in the country’s western neighbor. Sometimes it is necessary to pay two or three months’ rent in advance.
Many residents of Zgorzelec stayed at home because of the new regulations. – Those who have standard employment contracts are lucky – says Rafał Gronicz, mayor of the City of Zgorzelec.
In Görlitz County alone, 3,500 of our compatriots work. According to the mayor of Zgorzelec, no one thought about cross-border workers, and some decisions by those in power are being made ad hoc.
Among those affected are people with cancer and women in advanced pregnancy. – We will feel this artificial Zgorzelec–Görlitz division that exists at the moment for many months, if not years – adds R. Gronicz.