12/06/2026
Shortage Occupation List Put on Hold. Will Faster Work Authorization for Foreign Workers Be Forgotten?
Government Suspends Work on the Shortage Occupation List
Businesses that had been hoping for simplified procedures related to employing foreign workers have received concerning news. The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy has suspended work on the shortage occupation list project, which was expected to become one of the key tools for streamlining the legalization of employment for foreign nationals in Poland.
The project envisioned the creation of a list covering more than 300 occupations that have been experiencing significant labor shortages for years. Employers from sectors such as healthcare, caregiving, transport, logistics, construction, and manufacturing had high expectations for the initiative. The list was intended to accelerate administrative procedures and facilitate the recruitment of foreign workers for occupations where suitable candidates are scarce on the domestic labor market.
More Than 300 Occupations Included in the Project
The shortage occupation list was designed to include both common professions, such as drivers, caregivers for the elderly, nurses, and construction workers, as well as niche and highly specialized occupations. Among them were professions such as well diggers, solderers, and welders.
The goal of the project was to establish a transparent mechanism for identifying occupations facing long-term labor shortages. This would have enabled employers to complete the employment legalization process for foreign workers more quickly while reducing the negative effects of prolonged administrative proceedings.
Ministry Explains the Decision by Rising Unemployment
Information about the suspension of the project was presented during a meeting of the Problem Subcommittee for Labour Market Policy Reform within the Social Dialogue Council. One of the reasons cited by the Ministry of Labour was the increase in unemployment levels.
However, labor market experts point out that this situation does not eliminate the problem of workforce shortages in specific industries. On the contrary, during periods of economic slowdown, tools that effectively identify occupations experiencing persistent labor shortages become even more important.
Employers Still Struggle to Find Suitable Candidates
Business representatives have long emphasized that even when cooperating with public employment services, they are often unable to find workers with the qualifications required for available positions. The problem is not limited to the number of candidates but also concerns their skills and competencies.
In many cases, there is a mismatch in qualifications, geographic availability, or the specific requirements of a given profession. Some positions require specialized licenses, certifications, or years of experience, which significantly limits the pool of available candidates in the local labor market.
Legalization of Foreign Employment Becoming Increasingly Time-Consuming
The suspension of the project raises concerns, particularly among employers who rely on foreign workers. In recent years, procedures related to obtaining work permits and legalizing residence have often taken much longer than employers expected.
The planned shortage occupation list was intended to address the growing delays in administrative proceedings. The proposed measures could have helped companies fill staffing gaps more efficiently and strengthen the competitiveness of the Polish economy compared to other European countries.
Does Poland Need a Shortage Occupation List?
According to many experts, the labor market still requires a systemic solution that would allow for more effective management of labor migration. A shortage occupation list could serve as a tool supporting both employers and public administration in identifying the economy’s actual workforce needs.
In the face of an aging population, labor shortages in key sectors, and growing demographic challenges, an effective migration policy remains one of the most important factors influencing the development of Poland’s labor market.
Conclusion
The suspension of work on the shortage occupation list is a signal that may concern employers struggling with a lack of qualified workers. Although the Ministry of Labour cites rising unemployment as one of the reasons for postponing the project, experts emphasize that labor shortages remain a reality across many sectors.
At this stage, it is unclear whether work on the project will resume. What is certain, however, is that the legalization of foreign employment and the effective filling of workforce gaps will remain among the most significant challenges facing the Polish labor market in the years ahead.
