Sudden Changes on the Labor Market

It seemed that the most important news of recent months about the Polish labor market would be its gradually advancing globalization. Instead, the situation has become far more dynamic and complex. A visa scandal erupted, and the situation of Belarusians living in Poland changed dramatically. What does this mean for employers? Apparently, they will have to prepare for change and make greater efforts to retain their employees.

The Visa Scandal

In 2023, the Polish labor market was becoming more global with each passing month. The Gremi Personal Analytical Center continuously collected and analyzed data on these changes. The data clearly shows that foreign nationals account for 6.5% of all employees. These are no longer only people from beyond the eastern border, but even workers from other continents. At the end of July, ZUS registers recorded 1,098,000 employed foreigners — 40,200 more than in January and nearly 73,000 more than in 2022.

It is precisely those from other continents that have recently attracted the most attention... The visa scandal — the granting of visas to arrivals from outside Europe in exchange for financial benefits — sparked a storm in Polish politics and heated debates both in the employment sector and across society at large. Setting politics aside, this affair is evidence of the enormous labor shortages Polish employers are struggling with. Opening the Polish labor market to workers from Asia and Africa is, in the long run, both inevitable and very much needed for the Polish economy. For now, many labor market experts agree it is best to focus on retaining foreigners already living in Poland, so they do not emigrate to wealthier countries in Western Europe and Canada.

Politics Giving Belarusians in Poland No Peace

The visa scandal is not the only example of current politics having a negative impact on the labor market. Two decrees by President Lukashenko removed from the list of procedures available at diplomatic missions many important services for people living outside Belarus. These include obtaining or renewing a passport or residence permit, and drawing up a power of attorney for the sale of property — an apartment or a car. Even to obtain a certificate confirming educational credentials or marital status, a person will have to travel to Belarus. This is not merely an inconvenience. For many Belarusians, it may mean a risk of detention (some of them left the country following the 2020 protests, after all) and potential criminal prosecution — for example, for alleged participation in anti-government demonstrations. All of this may have a significant impact on the presence of Belarusians in the Polish labor market, and given how large this group is, the industries in which they work may already be feeling threatened. According to ZUS data, nearly 122,700 Belarusians were working (or running businesses) in Poland in July. Whether Poland will face a shortage of drivers, IT professionals, construction workers, and warehouse and factory employees will become clear soon, as the first effects of the newly introduced regulations emerge. A glance at the Occupational Barometer (barometrzawodow.pl) is enough to see that Poland is already short of construction workers, warehouse staff, and heavy vehicle workers in almost every region.

When New Workers Are Hard to Find

If access to new workers decreases, businesses should take care of their existing employees and ensure conditions that will discourage them from looking for new jobs — for example, in the West, where higher wages are on offer. As surveys conducted by the Gremi Personal Analytical Center show, pay is not the only factor people consider when choosing a job. Other important factors mentioned include:

• work comfort
• loyalty programs
• support with adaptation
• opportunities for professional development

Therefore, when using employment agency services, it is worth choosing companies where employees are not treated merely as a "resource" to be easily replaced. At Gremi Personal, from the very beginning we have placed respect for the people we work with at the core of our values. Our requirements include verifying that working conditions are appropriate and that facilities meet our internal standards. Employees are provided with round-the-clock care and assistance whenever problems arise. In addition, we operate a bonus and scholarship system as well as a loyalty program.

Other tools that have a positive impact on filling positions include forward workforce planning, automation of production processes wherever possible, and adapting working conditions to meet the employment needs of women, who are more numerous in the labor market. Gremi Personal also has experience in such processes — including helping women gain the qualifications they need — and can support its clients in this area. More about our working style and how we build relationships with employees can be found in our service description: https://gremi-personal.com/oferta/