CEORG May 2001 Omnibus Survey on Free Movement of Labour
The percentage of Poles, Czechs and Hungarians who are interested and would certainly try to work in Western Europe following their countries’ accession to the EU did not increase substantially since CEORG’s September 2000 poll. The May 2001 survey shows that only 13% of Poles, 4% of Czechs and 7% of Hungarians would certainly try to ‘go west’.
There is a substantial increase in the percentage of Czech respondents who would not be interested to work abroad even if they get an offer: 45% in May 2001 against 33% in September 2000.
Generally, the percentage of ‘probably uninterested’ and ‘certainly uninterested’ Poles, Czechs and Hungarians (respectively 15%/31%, 17%/45% and 11%/57%) outnumbers largely those who would
either certainly or probably try to find a job in Western Europe.
The proportion of the Central Europeans questioned who are interested to
migrate prefer by a large majority Germany (between 40 and 48% in the three
countries). Secondary destinations are Austria, for 24% of Hungarians, the
United Kingdom, for 14% of Czechs, and France, for 9% of Poles. Few of the
Hungarians, Poles and Czechs interested in finding a job abroad are planning
to settle there permanently: respectively 5%, 13% and 5%.
76% of Poles, 66% of Czechs and 70% of Hungarians think that their country
should demand concessions from the EU in case a several-years transitional
period for Free Movement of Labour is set.
Among those who accept this idea, protection of domestic agriculture is the
most important for 35% of Poles and 19% of Hungarians.
» CEORG May 2001 Omnibus Survey (pdf-file)
