What Are the Benefits of Hiring Workers from the Philippines and Colombia?

In recent years, Polish companies have been increasingly hiring workers from outside Europe, particularly from the Philippines and Colombia. This trend helps fill staffing gaps in many industries and brings benefits to both employers and the economy. Why are Filipinos and Colombians attracting growing interest? In which sectors do they perform best?

Growing Numbers of Workers from the Philippines and Colombia in Poland

According to data from the Ministry of Family and Social Policy, in the first half of 2024 the number of work permits issued for Philippine citizens increased by 60% compared to the same period the previous year. An even greater increase was recorded for Colombian citizens — as much as 337%. This shows that Polish employers are increasingly turning to candidates from these countries to fill staffing shortages.

Why Are Polish Companies Choosing Workers from the Philippines?

Filipinos are valued for their strong work ethic, solid education, and the wide availability of qualified workers. Thanks to their fluency in English — which is an official language in the Philippines and widely used in education, administration, and business — Filipinos integrate seamlessly into international companies and industries that require direct customer contact. According to the 2024 EF English Proficiency Index report, the Philippines ranks 22nd in the world for English proficiency, making it one of the leaders in the Asian region.

Many Filipino workers have experience in international environments and high-level technical skills, which means their employment often involves lower expenditure on additional training or educational programs. Filipinos are also known for their loyalty to employers, which translates into employment stability and lower staff turnover. Data collected by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development shows that the average length of employment for a Filipino worker in Polish companies is 3.5 years, which is significantly higher than the national average.

Colombians — a New Force on the Polish Labour Market

Colombians are valued for their entrepreneurial spirit, results-driven focus, and strong work output. Their flexibility and ability to work in various conditions make them ideal candidates for sectors requiring significant physical endurance, such as construction, industry, and manufacturing. In addition, shared cultural values facilitate their integration and cooperation within Polish teams.

Colombians frequently find employment in the food industry, construction, transport, and warehousing, where their commitment and willingness to work in varied conditions are particularly valued. In the first half of 2024, they were issued 20,500 work permits, representing a 60% increase compared to the same period the previous year.

In Which Industries Do They Perform Best?

Both Filipinos and Colombians are increasingly taking up work in logistics, warehousing, and manufacturing, where demand for workers continues to grow alongside the development of these sectors. Employers appreciate their diligence, commitment, and willingness to work in shift patterns, which means they thrive in dynamic logistics environments.

The food industry is particularly keen to hire people from the Philippines and Colombia, as they stand out for their precision and high quality of work. In production plants and food processing facilities they fill a variety of roles, from assembly line workers to machine operators. Thanks to their experience and flexibility, employers can effectively fill staffing gaps and maintain continuity in production processes.

What Challenges Do Employers Face?

Despite the many advantages, hiring workers from the Philippines and Colombia also comes with certain challenges. The process of legalising their employment requires completing the necessary formalities, which can extend recruitment timelines. It is therefore worth working with recruitment agencies that help companies navigate all the administrative stages. Thanks to its expertise in legal regulations, Gremi Personal makes the work legalisation process more efficient and less time-consuming. We handle all the formalities, minimising the risk of errors and delays, which allows companies to save time and avoid unnecessary stress.

Another important aspect is the adaptation process. Although Filipinos and Colombians are open to new environments, it is worth ensuring a proper onboarding experience — for example, providing assistance with accommodation or initial training. This will help them settle into their new role more quickly and increase their level of engagement. In this area we also support our clients, offering comprehensive assistance with accommodation arrangements and onboarding training tailored to the workers' needs. As a result, the adaptation process runs more smoothly, fostering faster integration and higher employee performance.

Some companies may initially be concerned about the costs associated with bringing workers from such distant countries. It is worth remembering, however, that Filipinos and Colombians often seek stable, long-term employment, which helps avoid frequent staff turnover and, in the longer term, reduces recruitment costs.

Summary

Hiring workers from the Philippines and Colombia is an increasingly popular solution among Polish companies that need qualified and motivated staff. Thanks to their diligence, loyalty, and experience, people from these countries help companies fill staffing gaps and improve service quality. Their long-term commitment makes them a valuable asset in many industries, including logistics and manufacturing.

If your company is looking for reliable and experienced workers, it is worth considering recruitment from the Philippines and Colombia. Contact us — we will help you find the best solutions for your company!