13 Jan “Organisation, information, and community as tools for labour dignity” – Migration story and origin of the Latin American Workers’ Union in Poland. By Rocìo Torres
I arrived in Poland in 2023 seeking stability for myself and my children. My first job was in a poultry plant, where I experienced firsthand the reality faced by many migrant workers: demanding shifts, extreme cold, constant pressure, and total dependence on temporary agencies for housing, contracts, and basic information. That experience made clear the structural vulnerability faced by anyone who arrives without language skills, support networks, or knowledge of their rights.
Around the same time, the case that led to the creation of the union took place. A group of Latin American workers and I were forced to work 12 to 16 hours per day under threats of losing our jobs and housing. When we collectively refused to continue, the agency responded with immediate dismissal, eviction from the accommodation, non-payment of wages, and the presence of an armed individual sent to intimidate us. Instead of dispersing, we chose to organise, document what had happened, and seek support.
With the help of the Nomada Association and Inicjatywa Pracownicza, this process evolved into a formal structure. On November 11, 2023, the Latin American Workers’ Union in Poland was founded, directly stemming from the lived experiences of labour exploitation and systemic precarity. Since then, we have supported cases of labour abuse, residency issues, and workplace accidents, and have organised workshops, public actions, and dialogues with national institutions.
The history of the union is closely tied to my own trajectory. My early experiences and collective work with my colleagues led me to take on the role of president. Our purpose has always been the same: using organisation, information, and community as tools for labour dignity.
The DignityFIRM project has been essential in expanding our impact. Through this collaboration, we have been able to highlight the migrant situation across the country, receive more cases, reach regions where we previously had no presence, and establish contact with authorities, Polish citizens, foreign residents, NGOs, and institutions interested in supporting the fight for fairer conditions for migrants in Poland. Their support has ensured that the voice of the Latin American community is not only heard but is increasingly influencing spaces that were previously out of reach.
– For more on the process of the Participatory Action Research in Amsterdam, Seville and Wroclaw, check DignityFIRM’s PAR Cross-country report
– You can find more information on the actions implemented in the three cities, including the Community Support Academy by the Latin Workers Union in Poland, in the Migrant organisations led actions report.
– Check out the video here https://www.facebook.com/reel/771347115951665