Advisory: On Filipinos Seeking Employment in Poland

14 February 2019 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reiterates its reminder for Filipinos seeking job opportunities in Poland to only transact with licensed recruitment agencies with approved job orders from the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA). The Department issued the reminder after the Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc. (PASEI) reported about the thousands of careers in Poland that it said Filipinos can apply for.

Chargè d’Affaires Maria Alnee Gamble of the Philippine Embassy in Warsaw said Filipinos should ensure that they have a valid working permit, a working visa and a written employment contract before leaving the Philippines. She also cautioned about recruitment agencies that charge excessive fees since the Embassy received information from PASEI that Poland is a 'no placement fee" destination.

According to the Embassy, Poland usually provides foreigners coming from outside the European Union with temporary residence for up to three years depending on the length of their employment contract and work permit. The Embassy also reminded OFWs bound for Poland that their work permit is only good for work with the employer indicated on the permit and to be mindful of their obligations to their employers.

In view of the issues concerning the working conditions of Filipinos who worked as trailer truck drivers in Europe, Chargè d’Affaires Gamble said the Embassy is maintaining its recommendation for the suspension of deployment of Filipinos for work in the road transport sector. She said Filipino jobseekers should only deal with recruitment agencies who practice ethical recruitment and keep the welfare of Filipino workers in mind. END