Discovering Talents: How to Find and Hire Migrants

For the thirteenth time, the European Congress of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises opened its doors to business leaders, local officials, and experts from various fields from around the world. From October 25th to 27th, the International Congress Center in Katowice became the arena for discussions, inspiration, and idea exchange. This year’s theme, ‘Ready for Change?’, reflected the contemporary challenges and transformations in society, with discussions revolving around reforming business strategies and adapting to new realities, forming the foundation of the meeting.

Agnieszka Kolanowska, General Manager of Smart Solutions in Poland, joined the discussions. In her presentation, she shared valuable thoughts and experiences regarding the impact of migration on the Polish labor market.

It is important to note that Poland boasts a high level of economic development among Eastern European countries and holds the second position in the EU in terms of unemployment rates. Due to its geographical location, the country experiences significant demand in the fields of labor and tourism.

One of the crucial factors that has recently influenced the overall growth rate of the Polish economy was the unfavorable demographic situation, leading to a massive shortage of workforce. While seasonal migrants partially compensated for this shortage in the past, the war in Ukraine became a turning point. Over the last two years, due to a large influx of Ukrainian refugees, the Polish population has increased by more than 3%.

Moreover, despite Ukrainians constituting the majority of migrants in the Polish labor market, there are also representatives from other countries such as Belarus, Georgia, India, Moldova, and more.

“By the end of December 2022, the share of foreigners working in Poland accounted for 6.5% of the total employed population. That means their number increased by 27.3% within a year,” –  noted Agnieszka Kolanowska.

The right to employment in Poland is generally accessible to a wide range of foreigners. Citizens of the European Union, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein (within the European Economic Area), and Switzerland have full and unrestricted access to the Polish labor market. They have the opportunity to work in Poland under the same conditions as Polish citizens. Five other countries (Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine) have a simplified system. This open policy creates numerous advantages and promotes diverse development and cooperation.

“At present, most foreigners work in the fields of administrative and support services, manufacturing, transportation and warehouse logistics, accommodation, and catering organization,” – shared Agnieszka Kolanowska.

Employment of Migrants

For companies aiming to find and hire migrants, there are several effective strategies and resources:

• Posting job vacancies on popular online job platforms, social media networks, and job exchanges.
• Collaborating with employment agencies, which can provide information about active social programs and details about the hiring procedure for foreign workers.
• Engaging with migration communities online and offline, and participating in relevant events for migrants.
• Attending government language courses and educational programs. Many foreigners pursue education to enhance their skills for better employment opportunities.

These are just a few examples. It’s essential to note that integrating migrants into the workplace is fundamental for fruitful collaboration, fostering innovation, and creating a positive work environment.

What can you offer?

• Comprehensive adaptation programs, including information about the company’s culture, policies, and procedures.
• Mentorship and guidance systems.
• Language support to help individuals feel connected within the team.
• Professional and career development for foreign workers through additional training and courses.
• Workshops and seminars on intercultural competence for all employees to enhance understanding and tolerance within the team, and more.

“Every twentieth employee in Poland is a migrant. This statistic highlights the significant contribution of migrants to labor processes and the country’s economy. Their integration into the workplace becomes a crucial task that can lead to numerous benefits for all parties involved,” – noted Agnieszka Kolanowska.