Polish labor market after quarantine

The coronavirus pandemic has affected almost all sectors of the economy and social life in Poland. It has also impacted the rise in unemployment. However, it should be noted that the situation is relatively stable, so no significant increase in unemployment is observed. Government support packages for entrepreneurs also help control the growth of unemployment, acting as an anti-crisis and financial shield. They help protect jobs and maintain them.

According to the National Bank of Poland’s research, some companies, specifically 15%, plan to reduce jobs by cutting positions held by foreigners, 7% intend to avoid hiring foreign workers, but 73% of companies do not plan major changes in employing foreigners. The remaining 4% of Polish companies have expressed willingness to increase the number of migrant workers.

What was the labor market demand in Poland in 2020?

According to data from Poland’s labor office, the number of job vacancies in May was 72,000, which was 14,000 more than in April 2020, and this figure continues to grow, bringing optimism for the future. Furthermore, Poland has many sectors and companies where there is a shortage of labor, despite the ongoing pandemic.

The most in-demand workers on the labor market today are those from the industrial sector. There are also a large number of job openings in retail, construction, warehousing, and seasonal work. There is also a particular demand for delivery workers.

Since the beginning of the pandemic and during the lockdown, many foreign workers began leaving the country and returning to their homeland. In order to prevent Polish employers from being left without workers, the Polish government introduced a series of anti-crisis laws concerning labor migrants and the issuance of work permits. One of the most important points was the extension of the legal stay and employment in Poland during the quarantine.

The law applied to all foreigners in Poland from March 12, 2020, on the basis of the following documents:

• Schengen visa
• Visa issued by another Schengen country (including long-term visa)
• Residence permit issued by another Schengen country
• Under the visa-free regime
• Long-term visa issued by another EU member state
• Residence permit issued by another EU member state

The stay of these individuals is considered legal until the end of the 30th day following the cancellation of the state of emergency or epidemic.

In practice, the period for issuing work permits has not been shortened, but rather extended. Now in Warsaw, it takes about one month for an expedited procedure and several months for type A work permits.

What can labor migrants expect in the future and how will events develop?

It is already clear that the pandemic will lead to a global economic downturn, and this will affect not only this year but also the next one. As a result, there will be a reduction in job opportunities in developed European countries, including Poland, which will also impact labor migrants. However, experts say that after the pandemic is over, the number of people seeking work abroad will increase. This is because salaries in the EU will decrease, and local residents will not be satisfied with this situation, which will create opportunities for labor migrants from Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus. They will be willing to work under more favorable conditions for employers and for less money.

In this context, it should be noted that there are concerns employers may try to take advantage of the economic situation and prefer to hire workers illegally. In response to this, the European Union may introduce stricter controls to reduce illegal employment. Therefore, some migrants with work visas will have no problems finding jobs in the EU. All others need to be prepared for the fact that illegal work options will become more difficult. It is one thing when illegal workers were employed during “peaceful times.” It is another thing now. After the coronavirus pandemic, all types of controls, including border checks, will likely be tightened.

Therefore, to avoid future problems, we advise anyone planning to work abroad, including in Poland, to have a work permit and work visa. Our company, among other services, also assists with obtaining such permits.

If you have any questions, you can always write to us at office@progressholding.pl, and we will share all the necessary information with you.