Croatia Poised to Expand Rights for Foreign Workers

Key Takeaways

1. Croatia is moving to expand the rights of foreign workers.
2. The country plans to offer 60 days of compensation to foreign workers who lose their jobs while they search for new employment.
3. Croatia also intends to extend work permit validity from one to three years.

Foreign workers in Croatia are set to receive more rights as the government updates its labour regulations. These changes aim to make Croatia a more attractive destination for foreign workers and provide better security for those already employed in the country.

The Croatian government is introducing a rule that will offer compensation for up to 60 days to foreign workers whose employment contracts are terminated. During this period, they can remain in Croatia and search for other job opportunities, addressing labour shortages across multiple sectors.

Ivan Vidriš, State Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Pension System and Social Policy, highlighted that this measure will help prevent the exploitation of foreign workers, who often face difficulties leaving unsatisfactory employers.

"We’ve seen cases where workers couldn't leave their employer and had to return to their home country. This is a problem because we need those workers. The new rule will allow them to change employers without difficulty," Vidriš explained.

Work Permit Extensions to 3 Years

In addition to the compensation plan, Croatia is planning to extend the validity of work permits for foreign workers from one year to three years. Labour Minister Marin Piletić noted that this extension would provide greater flexibility for foreigners to transition between jobs and employers more easily.

"By extending work permits, we aim to make job transitions smoother, whether it’s for a new role with the same employer or a different employer altogether," said Piletić.

Currently, there are approximately 143,000 foreign workers in Croatia, with most coming from non-EU countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania. The 2023 EURES report identified around 30 occupations that are in shortage in Croatia, increasing the chances for foreign nationals in these fields to obtain work visas and employment.