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Albania

Foreign Employment in Albania: A Response to High Unemployment and Emigration

In recent years, Albania has faced persistent challenges related to high unemployment and a growing trend of emigration. However, a new trend is emerging in the country`s labour market: more and more foreigners are choosing to work in Albania. According to a recent report form the Bank of Albania, despite efforts to reduce unemployment, the shortage of the workforce remains a major issue, with significand consequences for the economy and businesses. What does this mean for Albania`s future?

The Bank of Albania`s latest report reveals that businesses are adjusting their expectations for the future, as unemployment remains high and the labour force continues to shrink. This situation, coupled with a rise in emigration, has led many Albanian businesses, particularly in tourism and construction, to look outside the country for workers.

With more local seeking employment abroad, foreign workers have been filling vacancies in sectors that have struggled with a lack of local manpower. In restaurants, hotels, and construction sites, foreign workers are increasingly being hired for low-skilled jobs, with wages comparable to those offered to Albanian workers.

Albanian entrepreneurs have turned to countries in Asia, such as the Philippines and India, as well as Latin America, to meet their staffing needs. These workers, willing to accept modest wages and sometimes difficult working conditions, are helping to fill a growing demand for labour that local workers are no longer able to supply.

Growing Numbers of Foreign Workers in Tirana and the Coastline

The Ministry of Interior`s statistics show a sharp increase in the number of foreigners employed in Albania, with over 9 000 foreign workers currently active in various sectors. The largest groups of foreign workers are coming from Turkey, Bangladesh, India and Nepal, and they are filling jobs in tourism, construction, and services.

Tirana, the capital city, has the highest concentration of foreign workers, with around 4 200 individuals employed in various service sectors. The coastal cities of Durrës and Vlora follow closely behind. This growing trend of foreign workers is raising important questions about the future of the Albanian labour market. One city experiencing a notable increase in foreign employment is Vlora, a popular coastal town that has seen rapid growth in its tourism sector. Foreign workers, primarily from countries such as the Philippines and India, are being hired for seasonal jobs in hotels, restaurants, and service industries. For many of these workers, moving to Albania presents a chance for a better life, even if it means working in relatively low-paying, low-skilled positions.

Sherif Durmishi, a recruitment expert, explains that staffing agencies are increasingly hiring foreign workers, especially from the Philippines. This trend has gained momentum in recent years, as Albania becomes more attractive to foreign laborers. In turn, the influx of foreign workers is also creating a cultural blend, making Albania a more diverse and cosmopolitan place to live and work.

Will foreign workers become a permanent fixture in the Albanian economy? And
what happens to local workers as the demand for foreign labour grows?

Simplified Procedures for Foreign Employment

To attract more foreign workers, the Albanian government has taken steps to simplify the procedures for obtaining work permits. Citizens from European Union countries and their family members can now work and live in Albania without the need for residence permits, making the country a more attractive destination for laborers from abroad. Similarly, workers from non-EU countries can now apply for residence permits with faster and more streamlined processes.
These changes have opened the door for many foreign nationals, particularly from Asia and Latin America, to seek work in Albania. The growing number of foreign workers reflects the country’s ongoing efforts to fill labour gaps, but this also raises the question: Are the wages and working conditions for foreign workers sustainable in the long term? And will they contribute meaningfully to the Albanian economy?

Foreign Workers Helping to Solve Albania’s Economic and Demographic Issues

While foreign workers are helping to address the country’s labour shortage, there are challenges to this trend. Many of the jobs available to foreigners are temporary, such as those in tourism, and these positions offer little opportunity for long-term career growth. Additionally, some critics argue that relying too heavily on foreign labour could undermine efforts to improve local employment and reduce the country’s reliance on emigration.
As employment expert Gentjana Hasalla points out, foreign workers can help fill
immediate labour shortages, but they cannot replace the need for a sustainable
workforce from within the country. For this reason, Albania must create better opportunities for its own citizens, offering better wages, working conditions, and
prospects for career advancement in key sectors. Only then can the country truly
address the broader issues of unemployment and emigration that have plagued it for years.
Ultimately, the rise of foreign employment in Albania raises important questions
about the future of the country’s labour market. How will the country balance the
benefits of foreign workers with the need to create better opportunities for its own
citizens? And can Albania build a sustainable, competitive economy that attracts both local and foreign talent for the long term? Only time will tell.

Written by our corresponded A.T.