Olena, sewing machinist at Stella furniture company, Poland

I worked as a sewing machinist at the Stella furniture company.

Working conditions were good: new machines and good lighting in the workshop. We worked eight to ten hours, earning 9 złoty an hour.

There were three Ukrainian women including me. Our Polish colleagues generally treated us well, and management did too. Shifts began at 6:00, with a 15–20-minute lunch break.

We lived in a private house 30 minutes' walk from work. Conditions were reasonable: three people in a room, with a shower, toilet, refrigerator and washing machine.