August Labour Market Summary

From the introduction of a visa requirement for Colombian nationals, through proposals for new regulations on employing foreigners, to shifts in how job security is perceived — August brought many significant developments for the Polish labour market. Each of these topics stirs considerable concern and uncertainty among both employers and employees. It is worth taking a closer look at these events to understand their long-term consequences.

Is This the End of Hiring Colombians in Poland?

On the fifteenth of August, the government caught Polish employers off guard by unexpectedly introducing a visa requirement for Colombian citizens. The move was prompted by numerous recorded violations of visa-free travel rules and breaches of labour law by workers from that country. Will these legal changes make Colombia a less attractive source of workers? We will be closely monitoring how the situation develops over the coming months. Find out more.

First German State Assists Ukraine in Conscript Recruitment

Hesse — a federal state in western Germany — has stopped issuing travel documents to Ukrainian men of military age. The decision by Hesse's authorities is intended to support the Ukrainian government and encourage Ukrainians to return to their homeland to fulfil their military service obligations. Details in our article.

Employing Foreigners Only Under an Employment Contract?

The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy has prepared a draft law stipulating that foreigners would be able to obtain a work permit in Poland only if employed under an employment contract. The stated justification is the widespread misuse of civil-law contracts when hiring foreign workers. How could such a solution affect Polish businesses? More details in the PulsHR article.

Declining Sense of Job Security

Despite low unemployment, employee sentiment is worsening. Only 34% of those surveyed by CBOS consider the prospect of losing their job unlikely. The sense of job insecurity among workers is undoubtedly fuelled by widely reported mass layoffs, which frequently involve large, well-known corporations or state-owned enterprises. Read the Rzeczpospolita article to learn more.

Better Conditions for Interns in the Labour Market

Over the past few years, the situation for interns in the Polish labour market has improved significantly. Fewer and fewer internship offers come with no pay at all, and average annual intern earnings now range between PLN 38,000 and 53,000. In addition to wages, interns are often entitled to non-salary benefits as well. For more detailed information, read the article.

Summary

The changing reality of the labour market demands flexibility and rapid adaptation from employers, employees and government institutions alike. Legislation being introduced, decisions taken at the international level, and social sentiment all demonstrate that Poland's labour market continues to evolve in response to both global and local developments.