Poland is set to recruit workers from Sri Lanka to address labor shortages in specific sectors, according to a recent announcement by Sri Lankan authorities. This decision follows an official visit to Poland by Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry from July 18-21, 2024, where he met with Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski.
During their discussions, Minister Sabry emphasized the urgency of establishing a swift visa facilitation process to capitalize on potential employment opportunities for Sri Lankans in Poland. In response, Minister Sikorski proposed a Government-to-Government (G2G) Agreement to create legal and dignified employment pathways for Sri Lankan workers in identified sectors.
The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry highlighted that, beyond employment, the ministers talked about enhancing people-to-people connections and cultural exchanges. They noted the importance of strengthening collaboration in key areas such as port development, tourism, agro-industry, and the automotive industry. Additionally, they discussed regional and multilateral issues, including commitments to global peace and security, sustainable development, and climate action.
Minister Sabry also met with other Polish officials to explore opportunities for trade and tourism promotion, among other areas of mutual interest.
The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) reported that nearly 1.3 million foreigners were legally employed in Poland by the end of October 2023, an increase of 61,000 workers since the end of 2022. Despite this growth, Poland’s initiative to recruit Sri Lankan workers underscores the country's ongoing need for additional foreign labor.
A previous report by the Rzeczpospolita newspaper indicated that many sectors in Poland are experiencing worker shortages. Krzysztof Inglot, founder of the employment agency Personnel Service, noted a deepening deficit of local workers, coupled with a significant shortage of workers from Ukraine, driving the demand for labor from other countries.
According to the EURES report on labor shortages and surpluses, Poland faces shortages in 28 occupations, despite having the lowest employment rate among EU countries. The affected sectors include skilled crafts and trades, education, healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation.