In recent months, photographs of immigrants made available by politicians, activists and many independent Internet users have increasingly appeared in Polish social media. They are often accompanied by comments suggesting the threat and increase of illegal immigration in the Republic of Poland. It is worth considering, however, who are the people seen in the pictures and what the real situation related to the stay of immigrants in Poland looks like.
Who are the migrants seen in the photos?
The photographs published on the web are usually presented by people who are different from European appearances, which is intended to create emotions and anxiety.However, in many cases these people are employees of companies in Poland, both in large production companies and in the service and agriculture sectors.Most foreigners residing in Poland have the required documents and work in accordance with the applicable law.
According to ZUS data, at the end of January 2025More than 1 million 45 thousand foreigners worked in Poland, which represents over 6% of all employees.The largest group are Ukrainian citizens, but the number of workers from Asia, Africa and South America is also increasing.
Labour market needs and challenges
The Polish labour market has been struggling with shortages of workers for several years, especially in sectors such as production, storage, agriculture and construction.Experts estimate that up to 1.5 million workers may be missing in Poland by 2025.Employment of foreigners has thus become an important part of the functioning of many companies.
Employers indicate that hiring foreigners helps fill staff gaps and maintain the continuity of production. On the other hand, issues relating to formalities, language barriers and the need to ensure adequate working and integration conditions remain a challenge.
Working conditions, inspections and illegal cases
There are reports in the media of violations of labour rights towards foreigners. The loudest concerns work beyond force, lack of contracts or failure to pay wages.An example from the area of Częstochowa, where workers from Argentina were to work up to 18 hours a dayshows that the problem of abuse exists and requires supervision.
However, it is worth noting thatIn addition to legally employed migrants, there are also cases of illegal work. This is most often done through the work agency, which brings people to Poland for a fee, promising them decent working conditions and legalization of their stay.
Foreigners working without required permits or under conditions other than the law are exposed to exploitation and to legal consequences. This is also a direct threat to citizens because they are not being verified and can pose a danger.Under the new rules in force since June 2025, heavy financial penalties are being imposed for illegal employment(from PLN 3,000 to PLN 50,000 per employee), and the inspections of the State Labour Inspection and Border Guard are increasingly frequent and more meticulous.Citizens expect you to be more transparent about illegal labour immigration.
Social reception of migration and security
A tragic event involving an illegally residing Venezuelan citizen in Toruń in June 2025 sparked a nationwide debate on security and migration policy.However, it is worth noting that the perpetrator was not employed in the Polish company, and his stay in Poland was private. Nevertheless, the subject has been widely used in public debate, which shows how individual incidents can affect the perception of a whole group of foreigners.
There are many opinions and interpretations about the presence of immigrants in Poland. Some politicians and commentators stress the need to tighten up controls, others pay attention to the economic and social benefits of foreign presence.
The role of entrepreneurs and the future of the labour market
For many Polish companies, hiring immigrants is a everyday life and a necessity resulting from the real needs of the market.More and more entrepreneurs invest in training, translators and integration programmes, ensuring equal treatment for all workers. The challenges remain, but the awareness of the importance of law enforcement and building a positive atmosphere in the workplace is also growing.
On the other hand, the state tightens the rules and increases supervision to reduce abuse and ensure the safety of all residents.Further monitoring of the situation and an open dialogue based on facts and not solely on emotions will be crucial.
The phenomenon of employing immigrants in Poland is complex and requires an economic and social perspective. It is worth based on data and facts, not just images appearing on the network. There are cases of illegal employment, but most foreigners work legally in Poland. The future of the labour market in Poland will depend largely on the ability to manage diversity and effective enforcement, for the benefit of all parties.
