Data published by Eurostat at the beginning of June show that Poland has the second lowest unemployment rate in the European Union. According to this European institution's methodology, unemployment in Poland stands at just 3% — which differs slightly from statistics gathered by Polish government institutions, where the figure is around 5%. The only EU country with a lower unemployment rate is the Czech Republic, which has, however, a significantly smaller population and economy.
More information on the Eurostat website.
The persistently record-low unemployment rate means that the labour market is beginning to experience a shortage of workers. In the case of seasonal workers, the shortage is particularly acute. There are several reasons — the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine, the lack of a specific and coherent migration strategy, and the still-prevailing association of seasonal work with the grey economy. Foreign seasonal workers may offer a solution.
Full information in the article by Gremi Personal Analytical Centre.
Mass layoffs and even the complete closure of entire workplaces are becoming increasingly visible across Poland. As of the end of March 2024, 159 companies declared mass redundancies, which were set to affect around 17,000 employees. Given the low unemployment rate, it is too early to speak of a crisis situation, but the frequency of such drastic steps in Poland has clearly increased. Both Polish and foreign companies are cutting jobs, including MAN, PepsiCo, Levi's, Nokia, E.Leclerc, PKP Cargo, Poczta Polska, and others.
Additional information in the Business Insider article.
On 17 June 2024, an amendment to the Road Traffic Act came into force. The changes mean that foreign nationals of all nationalities engaged in paid passenger transport (e.g., as taxi drivers or drivers on popular ride-hailing apps) must hold a driving licence issued in Poland. This means that many foreign nationals had to go through the procedure of exchanging their driving licence for a Polish one in order to continue working in their profession.
According to a GUS report, the number of people injured in workplace accidents in the first quarter of 2024 increased by 7.9% compared to the same period the previous year. The accident rate has now reached 1.12. The most common cause of accidents is improper behaviour by employees, and the industries with the highest risk are mining and quarrying, as well as water and waste management.
In summary, June was quite eventful. From positive news about the low unemployment rate, through the challenges related to the shortage of seasonal workers, to worrying signals about the rise in workplace accidents and the wave of mass layoffs.
Taken together, all these events illustrate how dynamic and changeable the employment landscape in Poland currently is, and how many challenges and opportunities lie ahead for employees and employers in the coming months.
According to Eurostat data published in early June, Poland has the second lowest unemployment rate in the European Union, at 3%. Only the Czech Republic is lower. Polish government institutions report a slightly higher figure of around 5%, because their methodology differs.
Record-low unemployment has created a general worker shortage, which is especially acute for seasonal jobs. The reasons include the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine, the lack of a specific and coherent migration strategy, and the persistent association of seasonal work with the grey economy. Foreign seasonal workers may offer a solution.
Yes. An amendment to the Road Traffic Act that came into force on 17 June 2024 requires foreign nationals of all nationalities engaged in paid passenger transport, such as taxi or ride-hailing drivers, to hold a driving licence issued in Poland. Many had to exchange their licence for a Polish one.
As of the end of March 2024, 159 companies declared mass redundancies, set to affect around 17,000 employees. Given the low unemployment rate, it is too early to speak of a crisis. Companies cutting jobs include MAN, PepsiCo, Levi's, Nokia, E.Leclerc, PKP Cargo and Poczta Polska.
Yes. A GUS report shows the number of people injured in workplace accidents in the first quarter of 2024 rose by 7.9% year on year, and the accident rate reached 1.12. The most common cause is improper employee behaviour, and the riskiest industries are mining and quarrying, and water and waste management.
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