The sharp decline in the number of Ukrainian migrants has led to a labor crisis in Poland. Companies are increasingly facing problems when hiring workers, and the number of open positions is gradually increasing.
The Rzeczpospolita newspaper stated that “the problem is particularly acute in construction, manufacturing, transport and logistics companies, where many migrants work.”
Economists believe that the situation could worsen further because “the potential for immigration from countries with a similar cultural background (such as Ukraine and Belarus) is gradually being exhausted, and the government may strengthen its migration policy, which will affect the influx of labor from more distant countries.”
Another reason for the increasing labour shortage is said to be the demographic situation in Poland.
The number of foreigners working in Poland in February this year was over 1 million 4 thousand 600 people, and their share in the total number of employed was 6.6%, the Main Statistical Office reported on Monday, August 5. Foreigners working in Poland come from over 150 countries, the largest number is from Ukraine.
According to the statistical office, at the end of February 2024, 384,200 foreigners working in Poland were employed on the basis of agency contracts and similar contracts. The majority were men, although their share decreased from 64.7% at the end of January 2022 to 59.5% at the end of February 2024.
As reported, the largest number of foreigners employed in Poland came from Ukraine; at the end of February this year, this was 690 thousand 200 people. Compared to January 2022, their share decreased by 4.6% and amounted to 68.7%.
Citizens of Belarus (11.4%), Georgia (2.5%), India (1.8%), Moldova (1.3%) and the Philippines (1%) also worked in Poland. Almost one fifth of foreigners employed in Poland lived in the Warsaw metropolitan area (19%), and the fewest in the Świętokrzyskie region (below 10%).
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.