Catherwood LibraryILR School

"My wage tripled in two years!" boasts Barbara Wasik, a Polish graphic designer. But the pay rise was not a result of moving to the UK, instead the money rolled in when she came back home. Barbara returned at the end of last year, to the job she left in 2005. She was working for the same employer, in the same town. There was one big difference though - her pay packet. Wages in Poland are rising strongly as the economy expands. Last year wages grew by 6.5%, by comparison pay in France and Germany grew 2%. And as living standards in Poland improve, life in the UK has become less attractive.