European Interest

Poland phases out work permits for North Koreans

Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland
Polish Labour Minister Elżbieta Rafalska told reporters that province governors in Poland had not issued any new work permits to North Korean nationals since August 5 last year.

Officials in Poland have dismissed reports in The New York Times that they are still hosting North Korean workers despite Washington’s objections. They said Poland is phasing out work permits for North Koreans.

Polish Labour Minister Elżbieta Rafalska told reporters that province governors in Poland had not issued any new work permits to North Korean nationals since August 5 last year.

As reported by Radio Poland online, Rafalska also said Polish province governors had repealed 74 previously issued permits since August 1 last year.

Deputy Labour Minister Stanisław Szwed told a news conference on January 3 that around 400 North Korean nationals still held “old” work permits in Poland.

Such permits are being phased out, Szwed said.

The European Union in October agreed to stop renewing work permits for North Koreans, Polish Radio’s IAR news agency noted.

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