Polish Companies Laid Off Ukrainians Due to Sanctions Against Russia

polski-pidpriiemstva-skorotili-ukrainciv-cherez-sankcii-proti-rosii

Due to ties with Russian business, a number of Polish companies were forced to restructure their operations, scale back activity, and seek new partners and markets. Some of these firms appeared on the first sanctions list published by Poland's Ministry of Interior and Administration, covering entities linked to Russia — a list of 50 individuals and companies. The ban primarily targeted the supply of dual-use goods and technologies. The resulting operational changes led to workforce reductions at these enterprises, affecting first and foremost Ukrainian men, who make up the lion's share of the labour force in metallurgical and heavy-industry plants. This is reported by the analytical centre of the recruitment agency Gremi Personal.

However, according to experts, Ukrainians quickly found new employment at other companies in Poland. Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the number of "male-oriented" job vacancies in Poland has increased by 15–20%. The labour shortage has grown, as Ukrainian men began returning to defend Ukraine, while 70% of offers from Polish employers involve physical labour.

"In March and April, the number of applications from men was also higher because some companies were forced to restructure their operations due to ties with Russia, and consequently had to let part of their workforce go. But Ukrainian men found jobs fairly quickly in logistics, food industry enterprises, or the automotive sector. There is no shortage of job opportunities for men in Poland. In May, demand for male vacancies rose again — by 18%," says Anna Dzhabolda, Director of the Recruitment Department at Gremi Personal.

According to the expert, performing physical work, Ukrainian men in Poland can earn 3,500–4,000 zloty per month (approximately 23,100–26,500 hryvnias). Furthermore, due to the shortage of male workers, Polish employers are being forced to adapt their workforce structures to employ Ukrainian women who were compelled to leave Ukraine because of the war, as well as to turn their attention to workers from Asia.

FAQ - frequently asked questions

Some Polish companies had ties with Russian business and appeared on Poland's first sanctions list of 50 individuals and companies. The ban mainly targeted dual-use goods and technologies, so the firms restructured and cut staff, mostly Ukrainian men in metallurgical and heavy-industry plants.

Yes, according to experts they found new jobs fairly quickly, mainly in logistics, food industry enterprises and the automotive sector. Since the war began, the number of male-oriented vacancies in Poland has grown by 15–20%, and in May demand rose again by 18%.

According to the article, Ukrainian men doing physical work in Poland can earn 3,500–4,000 zloty per month, which is roughly 23,100–26,500 hryvnias. About 70% of offers from Polish employers involve physical labour.

The shortage has grown because Ukrainian men have been returning to defend Ukraine. Due to the lack of male workers, Polish employers are adapting their workforce structures to employ Ukrainian women who left because of the war, and are also turning to workers from Asia.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Leave your contact details and we will send you an offer.

Name
Company
Phone
Email

Articles

Part of the Salary “in an Envelope”: What Risks Does a Worker in Poland Face?

Author:Gremi Personal Editorial Team

Part of the Salary “in an Envelope”: What Risks Does a Worker in Poland Face?

A salary paid “in an envelope” in Poland can put a foreign national’s legal employment at risk. How hidden payments affect documents, ZUS contributions and worker rights.

date2026-11-03
readView
Annual PIT Return for Foreign Nationals in Poland: How Automatic Settlement Works and When You Need to Act Yourself

Author:Gremi Personal Editorial Team

Annual PIT Return for Foreign Nationals in Poland: How Automatic Settlement Works and When You Need to Act Yourself

Annual PIT return for foreign nationals in Poland: the difference between PIT-11 and PIT-37, how to check your return in Twój e-PIT and when automatic settlement is not enough.

date2026-10-27
Unused Leave of a Temporary Worker in Poland: When Compensation Is Due

Author:Gremi Personal Editorial Team

Unused Leave of a Temporary Worker in Poland: When Compensation Is Due

Two days of annual leave for every month of temporary work in Poland. When unused days are compensated in cash, what the payment deadlines are and what to verify.

date2026-10-22
readView

Contacts for media

Central office

Ul. Wały Piastowskie

1/1415

80-855 Gdańsk