The Poles first came to work in Northern Ireland in big numbers when Polish citizens were granted the right of free movement as EU members in May 2004.

Many found employment here and were grateful for any type of work, which was guaranteed to provide more money than they could expect to earn at home. They worked as cleaners for Robinson Services or as labourers in Camden Frames, Sam Mouldings, on the assembly line at what was then Schrader, or in construction during the mini-boom in 2007-2009. Whilst some worked in the health service as nurses, carers or doctors, large numbers were overqualified for the jobs they first took. But with limited English and no contacts here, to many it