Poles welcome major migrant study

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Polish community leaders have given their support to the largest ever study into migrant workers in Scotland.

Almost 1,000 workers took part in the survey, which was carried out by Fife Council to try to improve services for the growing migrant community.

It found that while the majority is still made up of single young men, an increasing number of families are now moving to Scotland to work.

The authority said it needed to improve education provision as a priority.

Face-to-face interviews were carried out with 904 migrant workers for the study.

It revealed that most had only basic English language skills but were unable to take lessons because of work commitments.

When I was working as a cleaner I was like 'oh my God, I've got a degree and I'm cleaning' Justyne Chmurzynska'

Most planned to stay in Scotland for at least two years, even though about one in four had experienced verbal abuse.

Chairman of the Polish community group "Most", Maciej Dukurno, told the BBC Scotland news website: "There is a big need for a single point of information where people could come, could just pop in to get advice.

"I think that is something that has to be done."

The findings also revealed that almost half of migrant workers had no written tenancy agreement with their landlord.

It also showed that more than half either had a degree or under-graduate qualification but that most employers were unwilling to recognise them.

Several jobs

Journalism graduate Justyne Chmurzynska has had several jobs in Scotland. She spent 18 months working on the Forth Road Bridge tolls until they were abolished.

She said: "When I was working as a cleaner I was, like 'oh my God, I've got a degree and I'm cleaning.'

"It was so frustrating."

She is now studying at Napier University in Edinburgh.

Although the study provides no concrete recommendations for change, its authors have said it highlights the areas that need addressing.