Ethnic Niches and Socio-Occupational Mobility. The Case of the Poles in Madrid

Abstract

This article analyses the relationship between employment in ethnic
niches and socio-occupational mobility among Polish immigrants
residing in the Community of Madrid. Based on survey data and
in-depth interviews, the study combines quantitative and qualitative
methods. The data shows that both Polish males and females are
concentrated in two specifi c ethnic niches: construction and domestic
service, respectively. In this context, socio-occupational upgrading is
heavily conditioned by gender and depends on the allocation of
productive and reproductive roles among men and women within
households, as well as on the opportunity structures available within
each ethnic niche.