The Seasonal Worker Shortage in Poland: A Closer Look
Poland is facing a critical shortage of seasonal workers, particularly impacting the agricultural and horticultural sectors. Ewelina Gawlik, a labor market expert from Nova Praca Group, explains the challenges and potential solutions.
Gawlik highlights the persistent lack of workers in the Polish economy, with agriculture, gastronomy, and other sectors feeling the pinch. The declining number of Ukrainian workers, previously a significant part of the workforce, is a major contributor to the shortage.
Despite efforts to tighten visa issuance, the changing attitudes of Ukrainian workers towards better-paid opportunities abroad complicate the situation. In agriculture and horticulture, where the demand for workers is 20% higher than last year, employers are increasing wages and offering benefits like accommodation and meals to attract workers.
While Poland’s labor market has opened to workers from the east, the reluctance of some employers to hire English-speaking workers poses challenges. This issue extends beyond seasonal work, affecting positions in production and warehouses as well.