Labour crunch forces Croatia to open doors to Asian workforce

Labour crunch forces Croatia to open doors to Asian workforce

A church in Zagreb holds mass in English for the country's rising migrant community
A church in Zagreb holds mass in English for the country's rising migrant community. Photo: DAMIR SENCAR / AFP
Source: AFP

Durga Phuyal had hoped to start anew when she landed in Croatia, but the Nepali migrant faced an uphill battle to adjust to life in the Balkan country.

Phuyal is among the tens of thousands of migrants who have flocked to Croatia from as far afield as Asia, as the small EU country desperately tries to overcome a chronic labour shortage.

Traditionally reliant on seasonal workers from Balkan neighbours, Croatia is increasingly counting on labourers from Nepal, India, the Philippines and elsewhere to bridge the gap.

Mass emigration and a shrinking population has created tens of thousands of vacant positions in construction and the service industry in the tourism-dependent country, famous for its picturesque beaches along the Adriatic sea.

But not everyone has put out the welcome mat, with migrants facing cramped and expensive housing, and occasional anti-immigrant rhetoric that has spiked ahead of elections.

Read also

Ukraine ready to licence farm exports to assuage Poland: minister

In Nepal, Phuyal paid 7,000 euros in total for the various fees, documents and travel expenses before landing Croatia.

Croatia is increasingly counting on migrants from Nepal, India, the Philippines and elsewhere to fill a labour shortage
Croatia is increasingly counting on migrants from Nepal, India, the Philippines and elsewhere to fill a labour shortage. Photo: DAMIR SENCAR / AFP
Source: AFP

But after barely a month after arriving, she had lost her job and was offered no assistance by the agency that helped hire her.

"It was very difficult," the 27-year-old said of the two-month ordeal.

"I had no job, no accommodation, no food."

The country provided nearly 120,000 non-EU nationals with work permits in 2023, a 40 percent jump over the figure from the previous year.

But in the run-up to general elections in April, right-wing parties have accused migrants of threatening the country's security and stealing jobs from Croatians.

Migrants have also been regularly pilloried online, with social media users mocking them for gathering during New Year's festivities in Zagreb, calling the celebrations "Advent in Kathmandu" and "Nepali New Year".

Read also

Strike-hit German rail operator agrees to 35-hour week

Ethnic Croats comprise more than 90 percent of Croatia's population -- nearly 80 percent of whom are Roman Catholics -- making it one of the more homogeneous societies in Europe.

Language barriers along with conservative attitudes toward outsiders have presented myriad obstacles to welcoming in the new labour force.

"Unlike countries that throughout their history had contacts with diverse cultures -- like France or Britain -- Croatia is facing for the first time a situation where it is encountering very different groups," said Dragan Bagic, a sociologist at the University of Zagreb.

Not 'mentally' ready

According to forecasts by the Croatian Employers' Association, the country of just 3.8 million could need as many as 500,000 foreign workers by the end of the decade.

Newly arrived migrants have been most vulnerable during their search for housing, according to experts.

An investigation in a local newspaper in the capital Zagreb said 32 foreign workers were found living in a cramped 83-square-metre (893-square-foot) apartment in the city.

Read also

London still awaits Olympic's promised 'affordable' housing

Classified advertisements aimed at foreign workers typically offer tiny apartments with nearly a dozen beds, priced at 200 euros ($216) per person.

Durga Phuyal paid 7,000 euros in total for the various fees, documents and travel expenses before landing Croatia
Durga Phuyal paid 7,000 euros in total for the various fees, documents and travel expenses before landing Croatia. Photo: DAMIR SENCAR / AFP
Source: AFP

A Nepali workers representative said their wages in Croatia range between 560 and 1,000 euros per month.

To meet the challenge, the Croatian government is preparing to amend the law on foreigners to better regulate accommodation, provide language classes and oversee the growing number of temporary employment agencies.

Arcely Bhing, a 48-year-old Filipina who works at a printing company, said Croatia was not "physically or mentally" ready for this wave of immigration.

Attending mass in English every Sunday in Zagreb, where she is joined by dozens of other Filipinos, has helped fight homesickness.

"It's a big thing for us Filipinos because we are also a Catholic country, most of us go to church," she said.

Andjelko Katanec, a priest at the Saint-Blaise church that has been holding mass in English since 2019, said integrating into Croatian society was a "big challenge" for migrants.

Read also

Hit by worker shortage, German city gets students to drive trams

"They risk being isolated outside work," he said.

"The history of mankind is the history of migrations," Katanec said.

"We have to organise better ... to welcome the immigrants better, offer them more opportunities and better conditions."

'Good workers'

Many migrants came to financially support their families back home and often use Croatia as a starting point in Europe with an eye toward settling elsewhere.

Many migrants came to financially support their families back home and often use Croatia as a starting point in Europe with an eye toward settling elsewhere
Many migrants came to financially support their families back home and often use Croatia as a starting point in Europe with an eye toward settling elsewhere. Photo: DAMIR SENCAR / AFP
Source: AFP

Denson D'Cruz, who migrated from Kerala, India, said he chose Croatia because it is part of Europe's Schengen passport-free travel area.

The 30-year-old arrived last year to work as a mechanic but now runs his own import-export company.

He said he hopes to stay in Croatia for the foreseeable future because of its "climate and people who are friendly and speak English".

While some have sought to exploit the new arrivals, others have worked to help them find their footing.

After falling on hard times, Phuyal eventually found work at a temp agency and hopes to begin work in a beauty salon soon.

Read also

Sprinklers and drip irrigation help Iraqis beat drought

"Nepalis are very good workers, adjustable, and want to learn quickly," said the agency's owner, Ruzica Kerepcic.

New feature: Сheck out news that is picked for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.