Romania Requires up to 300,000 Foreign Workers to Alleviate Workforce Shortages in 2025
Key Insights
1. Romania's labor market is expected to require between 200,000 and 250,000 foreign workers in 2024.
2. Melania Pop from International Work Finder (IWF) suggests that reducing bureaucratic hurdles could help Romania attract as many as 300,000 foreign workers by 2025.
3. The current limit of 100,000 foreign workers is inadequate to meet rising demand.
Romania is experiencing a labor shortage due to many Romanians seeking work abroad. As a result, the country is projected to need between 200,000 and 250,000 foreign workers in 2024, particularly in industries like construction and hospitality (Horeca).
Melania Pop, Business Development Manager at IWF, highlights that if bureaucratic processes were streamlined, Romania could bring in up to 300,000 foreign workers in 2025 to fill critical workforce gaps.
Romania’s Foreign Worker Needs Could Exceed Current Limit
Recruitment agencies warn that the current annual cap of 100,000 foreign workers set by the Romanian government is insufficient for the growing demand. Industry experts estimate the actual need to be three times higher, stressing the urgency for policy reforms to tackle the labor shortage. IWF, a major recruitment firm, sources workers from countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Egypt.
Bringing foreign workers to Romania in 2024 has become more challenging due to increased regulations, language, skills, and experience requirements. Authorities are now more focused on selecting workers who can integrate smoothly into Romanian society.
Romania’s Labor Ministry Approves 100,000 Additional Foreign Workers for 2024
IWF, holding a 10% market share in Romania's recruitment industry, reports that less than 1% of the non-EU workers it has placed have sought jobs in other Schengen countries. Over its seven years of operation, IWF has recruited more than 15,000 non-EU workers, making it one of the largest foreign labor employers in Romania.
With a client base of over 600 companies, IWF has helped address labor shortages in various sectors. The construction industry had the highest number of job vacancies last year with 68,739 positions. Other sectors facing significant staff shortages include:
- Postal and Courier Services (38,522 vacancies)
- Staffing Services (28,237)
- Restaurants (26,776)
- Road Freight Transport (14,986)
- Protection and Guard Services (14,257)
Looking ahead, the Romanian Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity has announced an additional 100,000 foreign workers for 2024 to meet rising labor market demands.