A bill of an act on foreigners' access to the labour market has been published. It is part of a reform that aims to create more effective institutions to support the labour market. An analysis of current regulations has revealed a number of problems, i.e. the abuse of work permit procedures, a lack of response to the real needs of the labour market, or excessive bureaucracy in government offices. The goal of the new act is to sort out the employment of foreigners. 

In principle, the bill is based on the current legislation, while introducing a number of important modifications, including: the introduction of mandatory grounds for refusing to grant a work permit when the employer's enterprise operates primarily to facilitate the entry of third-country nationals; Replacement of the labour market test procedure with a list of professions in which it will not be possible to employ a foreigner; Electronization of administrative procedures related to the employment of foreigners.

The new act aims not only to regulate foreigners' access to the labour market, but also to counter negative phenomena such as pushing Poles out of the labour market and undercutting employment standards.

The bill is expected to be approved in the third quarter of 2024.
 

Find more in the PRO HR May 2024.