On a regular day off, Angelo, a welder from the Philippines, enjoys singing karaoke with his friends in Sosnowiec, Poland. His daughter in the Philippines joins in on the fun via video call, showcasing the challenges faced by Filipino migrant workers in Poland.
Many Filipino workers in Poland struggle with low wages and difficult working conditions, prompting some to seek opportunities in other European countries even if it means working without proper documentation.
Angelo, who had high hopes for his job in Poland, was disappointed when he faced salary discrepancies and difficulties communicating with his employer due to language barriers. Eventually, he found a better opportunity in the Netherlands.
Lourdes, another Filipino worker, recounts her difficult experiences in Poland, including long working hours, poor living conditions, and disappointing support from employment agencies. She is eagerly awaiting her Temporary Resident Card so she can move to a different European country.
The increasing number of Filipino workers in Poland has raised concerns about exploitation and illegal recruitment practices. Despite the challenges, some workers choose to stay due to the relative safety and lower cost of living in Poland compared to other European countries.
Authorities are beginning to take steps to protect migrant workers’ rights in Poland, but more efforts are needed to ensure fair treatment and better work conditions for all workers, including those from Asia.
As Filipino workers in Poland face uncertain futures, they continue to share their experiences and caution others against the challenges they have encountered, hoping to inform and protect fellow migrants seeking work abroad.
*Names have been changed to protect the workers’ privacy.
This story is co-published in a partnership between The Diplomat, the Hong Kong Free Press, and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Raquel Carvalho reported from Poland with support from the Journalismfund.eu