Information from the headman about the local labor market

Obtain information from the mayor about the local labour market 

The procedure for employing foreigners in Poland, opening jobs or planning business expansion is inextricably linked to the analysis of the situation on the local labour market. One of the key documents confirming the actual state of supply and demand in a given county is the opinion in Poland (information from the starost). This document allows the employer to prove that there are no candidates at the local level who could perform a specific job, and therefore they can invite an employee from outside the EU. In many cases, it is the mayor's opinion that is the determining factor in obtaining a work permit. 

What are the steps for obtaining information from the starost? 

The Polish labour market is characterised by the fact that obtaining an opinia is not always quick, but the process itself is structured: 

1. Preparation of an application by the employer. A description of the vacancy, requirements, working conditions and the number of people needed is drawn up. The document is submitted to the relevant district labour office.
2. Assessment of compliance with working conditions. Salary, schedule, employment conditions and compliance with standards are checked. 
3. Verification of available candidates. The official analyses registered unemployed persons and job seekers and compares their profiles with the vacancy. 
4. Recruitment. If there are potential local candidates, the employment centre offers them to the employer. If there are none or they do not meet the requirements, the procedure moves on. 
5. Preparation of the mayor's conclusion. The document states the results of the analysis, including whether there are personnel available on the Polish labour market to perform the described work. 
6. Receipt of information from the mayor by the employer. Once the document has been issued, the employer can use it to apply for a work permit or other forms of legalisation. 

In reality, the procedure is quite bureaucratic, but it provides the employer with a legal basis for hiring foreign personnel. 

Why is information from the mayor so important? 

The mayor's information is a real tool that allows you to assess how effectively an employer can search for personnel in their area and whether it is justified to hire an employee from outside the EU. For many companies, this document is an important part of their HR strategy: what's in the opinion affects how quickly they can get work permits and even whether they can start new lines of business. 

What should you think about before applying? 

There are some practical recommendations and conditions that help to avoid delays and ensure a positive conclusion from the mayor: 

• Accurate job description. The more precise the requirements and description, the faster the mayor will be able to assess suitability. 
• Adequate working conditions. If the offer is significantly below average market standards, the conclusion may be negative.
• Preparation of supporting documents. It is necessary to have evidence that the company really needs additional staff. 
• Preliminary analysis of the situation on the local market. It is worth checking independently whether candidates are available locally to avoid unpleasant surprises. 
• Consultation with a lawyer. Professional support helps to speed up the procedure and prepare the application in such a way as to avoid rejections. In this process, preparation is the key to success. 

The better the quality of the documents and arguments, the greater the likelihood of a positive outcome.