Labour law updates and recommendations

Changes to immigration law

In order to facilitate access to the Polish labour market for foreign citizens, the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy has prepared a bill that amends the resolution of 29 January 2009 on circumstances when a work permit is issued regardless of the specific requirements for granting work permits for foreigners. According to the bill, a local labour market test will not be required when applying for a work permit for a foreigner to work in one of 197 jobs listed therein. These jobs include: manufacturing and industrial engineers, electrical engineers, medical specialists, software analysts, IT designers, masons, roofers and commercial lorry drivers. The aim of the bill is to speed up the process of obtaining work permits and, as a result, plug some of the key workforce gaps on the Polish labour market. It is anticipated that the bill will enter into force on 1 July 2018.