Polish labor market after quarantine

Polish labor market after quarantine

The coronavirus pandemic has affected almost all areas of the economy and social life in Poland. It also contributed to an increase in unemployment. It should be noted, however, that the situation is relatively stable, therefore there is still no strong increase in unemployment. Government support packages for entrepreneurs, which act as an anti-crisis and financial shield, also help limit the rise in unemployment. They help protect jobs.

The research of the National Bank of Poland shows that some companies, i.e. 15%, will reduce jobs in the future at the expense of foreigners, 7% plan to avoid attracting employees from abroad, but 73% of companies do not plan major changes in the employment of foreigners. The remaining 4% of Polish companies expressed their readiness to increase the number of employed migrant workers.

What is the demand on the labor market in Poland in 2020?

According to the Labor Office, the number of vacancies in May amounted to 72 thousand, i.e. by 14 thousand. More than April 2020, and this number continues to grow and adds optimism for the future. In addition, there are many industries and companies in Poland which, despite the prevailing pandemic, lack labor.
Currently, workers in the industrial sector are the most desirable on the labor market. The list of vacancies also includes a large number of commercial workers, builders, warehouse workers, seasonal workers. There is also a special need for delivery workers.
From the beginning of the pandemic and during the quarantine, many foreign workers began to leave the country and return to their homeland. Therefore, in order not to leave Polish employers without workforce, the Polish government has adopted a number of anti-crisis laws regarding labor migrants and issuing work permits. One of the most important was the issue of extending the period of legal stay and employment in Poland during quarantine.

The adopted act was binding on all foreigners residing in Poland from March 12, 2020 on the basis of the following documents:
– Schengen visa
– a visa issued by another Schengen country (including long-stay visa)
– residence permit issued by another Schengen state
– as part of visa-free travel
– long-stay visa issued by another EU Member State
– residence permit issued by another EU Member State

The stay of these persons is considered legal until the end of the 30th day from the date on which the emergency or epidemic situation was lifted.
In practice, the period for issuing a work permit was not accelerated, but rather extended. Now in Warsaw you have to wait about 1 month for a decision on the issue of a type A work permit.

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

It is already known that the pandemic will trigger a recession in the global economy, not only this year but also next year. Due to these conditions, in developed European countries, including Poland, there will be a reduction in jobs, and this will also affect economic migrants. But don’t despair, experts say, there will be more job opportunities after defeating the pandemic. This is due to the fact that the level of wages in the EU will decline and the residents will not be satisfied with this state of affairs, which will give a chance to find work for economic migrants from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus. They will be ready to work on terms that are more convenient for employers and for less money.
In this connection, the following should be noted. There are fears that employers will want to take advantage of the economic situation and hire workers illegally. In response, the European Union may introduce a strict control system to curb illegal employment. Therefore, some migrants with a work visa will be able to easily find a job in the EU. Everyone else must be prepared that the options for illegal work will be hampered. Following the coronavirus pandemic, all types of controls, including border controls, are likely to be strengthened. Therefore, to avoid problems in the future, we advise everyone who goes to work abroad, including to Poland, to have a work permit and a work visa. Our company, among other things, provides assistance in obtaining such permits.

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

Polish labor market after quarantine