Polish Sejm amends law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens - media
MOSCOW. May 16 (Interfax) - Poland's parliament endorsed amendments to the law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens on Wednesday, which, among other things, envision extending the legality of Ukrainian citizens' stay in the country, Ukrainian media reported, citing the Polish website RMF24.
"The endorsement of these amendments was recommended by the parliamentary committee on administration and internal affairs. In accordance with the committee's recommendation, MPs turned down a number of Confederation amendments and the Law and Justice Party (PiS)'s amendment. The adopted amendments concern extending by four months the deadline for applying for the right to practice the profession of doctor, dentist, nurse and obstetrician, as well as recognizing certificates for citizens of a country that has terminated an international agreement on their mutual recognition," the report said.
The amendment to the law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens stipulates, among other things, extending until September 30, 2025, the legality of stay for Ukrainians who have been assigned a UKR PESEL identification number, maintaining benefits for the next year and the compulsory school education for Ukrainian children. The law also introduces new rules for confirming the identity of a Ukrainian citizen applying for a PESEL identification number. The only way to confirm one's identity is to present a valid travel document.
The amendment also sets out a maximum 36-month period during which students can attend additional free Polish language lessons. The decision will cover students who began attending classes in the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years. The regulation also expands access to health, family and social benefits, allowances and the possibility of staying in collective accommodation centers.
"The regulation also assumes that from July 1, the funding of accommodation and meals for refugees from Ukraine who find themselves in a particularly precarious situation will be possible only based on a contract signed with the local voivode or a local self-government body acting on the basis of a voivode's order. The rules of sharing the costs of accommodation and meals in collective accommodation centers will also change, thanks to which the payment of subsidies will be more effective than now," it said.
The law also provides for the abolition of benefits associated with compensation for the costs of accommodation and meals for refugees, incurred by the owners of private premises. From July 1, the payment of lump-sum 300-zloty allowances will also be ceased.
Polish Deputy Education Minister Joanna Mucha said at the committee meeting that the amendment is linked to the recent cessation of issuing certificates of final exams in Belarus to its citizens abroad. She said that refugees from Belarus could not study in Poland without a confirmation of their secondary school graduation. She added that around 5,000 Belarusian citizens found themselves in this situation, but this could also be true for citizens of other countries.
The law, except for certain provisions, will take effect on July 1. The Senate, the upper house of the Polish parliament, will discuss it now.
