Poland Seeks Skilled Filipino Workers to Address Growing Needs in Construction Industry

Filipino skilled workers especially in construction are in high demand in Poland as the country reels from the lack of workforce due to an aging population and the war in Ukraine.

According to the Polish Embassy in Manila, approximately 22,000 work visas were processed last year, with the majority being for skilled or experienced Filipino workers.

To facilitate visa applications for individuals residing in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, Polish Vice Consul Tomasz Danel inaugurated the first Visa Application Center in Cebu, located at the Apple One Tower in Cebu Business Park.

Danel highlighted the increasing demand for construction workers, welders, pipe fitters, and drivers in Poland, with these numbers growing each year.

Initially capable of processing at least 10 applications per day, the center’s capacity may be expanded in the coming weeks based on demand.

“We see the growing number of applicants for work. Poland is becoming more and more popular among Filipinos as a destination for work and the number is growing every year,” Danel said.

During the first five months of 2023, Danel said they are seeing a double in the application for work permits from Filipinos mostly from skilled workers.

The Polish embassy is exploring the possibility of recruiting healthcare workers, but this process requires a government-to-government agreement and will take more time.

“For now we have a shortage of jobs in Poland due to aging population as well as the war in Ukraine. We used to have many Ukrainians working in Poland because it is easy for them to cross the border for work. Now they had to return back home so there are a lot of vacancies right now,” Danel explained.

Presently, there are an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 Filipino workers in Poland.

The newly established visa application center in Cebu City, equipped with biometric and photo-capturing devices, eliminates the need for applicants to travel to Manila for visa processing.

Meanwhile, Danel urged Filipinos to consider visiting Poland as tourists. He said that at present, there is also an increase in the interest of Filipinos to travel to Poland. Many Filipino travelers are particularly drawn to religious tourism, given the connection to Saint Pope John Paul II, who hailed from Poland.

Danel said just like the Philippines, Poland is a predominantly Catholic country that somehow shares the same values and religiosity.

On the other hand, Danel said that more Polish nationals are expected to travel to the Philippines also to visit the beaches of Cebu and Bohol. Polish tourists typically have extended stays, averaging around 14 days.