Sunday, 2 November 2025
Central European economies are increasingly shaped by the presence of foreign labour. From factories in the Czech Republic to construction sites in Romania, international workers are helping to fill persistent staffing shortages and keep growth on track. Yet public attitudes toward their role remain mixed, reflecting a tension between economic necessity and social caution.
In Poland, the contribution of foreign employees—particularly from Ukraine—has become indispensable. Analysts estimate that their work accounts for nearly three percent of national output, a figure that underscores how deeply migrant labour is embedded in the economy. Surveys suggest that roughly half of Poles recognise this positive influence, though enthusiasm has cooled compared with the early years of the war in Ukraine. Many respondents now express more neutral or cautious views, shaped by broader European debates over migration.
The situation in Czechia is even more pronounced. Nearly one in five people employed there now comes from abroad, with Ukrainians, Slovaks, and Vietnamese among the largest groups. The country’s tight labour market means foreign workers are crucial for sustaining production, particularly in manufacturing and logistics. While employers praise their reliability, public opinion remains divided. Polling shows that Czechs are pragmatic—accepting migration as economically necessary, but wary of its social effects.
In Slovakia, foreign labour plays a smaller but increasingly visible role. The domestic workforce is ageing, and thousands of young Slovaks have moved abroad for work. Employers have turned to neighbouring countries and to refugees from Ukraine to close the gap. Many of these newcomers are now active in industrial and service sectors, helping to stabilise output. Nonetheless, surveys show that Slovaks remain among the most skeptical publics in the region when it comes to migration, reflecting a wider unease about rapid demographic change.
Romania, once known mainly as a source of emigrants, has in recent years become a destination for workers from South and Southeast Asia. Labour shortages, especially in construction, hospitality, and transport, have forced the government to expand work-permit quotas to record levels. While foreigners still make up a small share of the total workforce, their numbers are rising sharply, and employers say they are vital for keeping large projects on schedule.
Despite differences in scale, the pattern is clear across Central Europe. Tight labour markets, low unemployment, and demographic decline have created a growing need for foreign employees. Governments are adapting by simplifying permit procedures and promoting integration schemes, though some are simultaneously increasing fees and administrative hurdles.
Public sentiment, meanwhile, remains divided. Older generations and residents of smaller towns tend to be more skeptical, while younger people and those in large cities are more open. Experts note that social acceptance often follows economic experience—workplaces where Poles, Czechs, Slovaks, and Romanians collaborate with foreign colleagues tend to report more positive views over time.
The region’s reliance on migrant workers is no longer a temporary fix but a structural feature of its economies. While it would be an exaggeration to say that these economies are “based” on foreign labour, they are undeniably being sustained by it. Without continued inflows of international workers, many businesses would struggle to meet demand, and growth across Central Europe would be considerably weaker.
Source: PersonalService, CSO, GUS, UNHCR, accace and CIJ EUROPE analysis.
