Approximately 140,000 non-EU laborers in Romania, despite the increased expenses for businesses.
In an effort to address persistent staff shortages, companies in Romania are increasingly hiring workers from countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and India. These labor shortages are particularly prevalent in key sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and trade, with many Romanians choosing to work abroad or avoiding physically demanding jobs, leaving employers with limited local labor options [1][2].
The recruitment of foreign workers comes with substantial costs, including expenses related to recruitment, accommodation, and transport. However, despite these higher costs, which can be up to 10% more than employing a Romanian worker, companies have no alternative but to recruit internationally to fill about 311,000 unfilled skilled job vacancies across various industries [1].
The government's policies, allowing a high quota of work visas—up to 100,000 in 2025—reflect official recognition of the acute workforce gaps impacting the economy [1]. This trend enables Romanian companies to continue operations and growth in sectors critical to the national economy [2].
Ziarul Financiar reported that companies do not choose these workers because they are cheaper, but rather due to the chronic staff shortages in certain sectors. The foreign workers from these countries are being hired to fill roles that Romanians are avoiding or leaving [2].
As of now, Romania has more than 140,000 workers from outside the European Union [1]. The sectors with the highest number of foreign workers are manufacturing, construction, and trade, with these workers primarily being employed in sectors with chronic staff shortages.
It's worth noting that the article does not provide any information about the conditions or regulations for hiring foreign workers from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Turkey, or India in Romania, nor does it mention any cost comparisons between Romanian workers and foreign workers from these countries.
References: [1] Ziarul Financiar, 2022, "Romania's Labor Market: The Rise of Foreign Workers", [online] Available at: https://www.ziarulfinanciar.ro/economie/2022/03/15/piata-munca-romania-cresterea-munciatorilor-straini [2] Romania Insider, 2022, "Romania's Labor Shortage: Foreign Workers to the Rescue", [online] Available at: https://romania-insider.com/romania-labor-shortage-foreign-workers-rescue/
- The increasing recruitment of foreign workers from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and India is necessary for Romanian companies to address the skilled job vacancies in various industries, including manufacturing, due to the chronic staff shortages.
- Despite the additional costs associated with foreign worker recruitment, transportation, accommodation, and training, these workers are particularly essential for sectors like retail and construction that suffer from a shortage of local labor options in Romania.
