For the year 2025, the Romanian authorities have proposed setting a quota of 100,000 foreign workers newly admitted to the labor market. However, the draft decision is still at a preliminary stage, according to the Labor Ministry, which is blocking the recruitment process.
Agency Work from Asia, which specializes in recruiting staff from Asia, warns that more than 8,000 foreign workers risk losing the opportunity to work in Romania because of this situation. Romanian government proposes 100 000 foreign workers for 2025, but approval delayed
Serious economic consequences: vital industries affected
The lack of an approved quota for 2025 creates an unprecedented situation. Romania's labor market is becoming inaccessible to foreign workers, and applications for work permits are being refused by the General Inspectorate for Immigration.
The problem affects key sectors such as construction, agriculture, hospitality and transport, adding to an already alarming labor shortage.
Employers are calling for an urgent approval of the quota, stressing that the 100,000 workers proposed for 2025 is insufficient, given that the real market needs exceed 200,000 workers.
"The system is blocked"Impact on foreign workers
"The lack of quota for 2025 is massively hampering the recruitment process. There are already thousands of rejected applications and the whole bureaucratic process will have to start again once the new decision is approved," said Yosef Gavriel Peisakh, General Manager Work from Asia.
Without quota approval, almost 8,000 Asian workers, for whom the paperwork was almost finalized, are forced to wait. This delay not only blocks their access to the Romanian market, but also pushes many of them to other European countries that offer efficient systems for fast processing of documents, such as the "fast track.
Romania loses ground to other European countries
Advanced paperwork processing systems in other EU countries reduce waiting times for work permits and visas, attracting foreign workers. By comparison, red tape in Romania discourages not only workers, but also employers, who face major difficulties in filling the labor needed.
"It is crucial that the authorities support the process of recruiting foreign workers, otherwise many local businesses will be severely affected." Peisakh added.
Urgent solutions needed to redress the situation
Under the legislation, the quota for the following year had to be approved at the latest in October of the previous year. But the current delay increases economic risks and makes strategic sectors vulnerable. Work from Asia underlines that only a rapid collaboration between the authorities and business can avert a jobs crisis.
In addition, digitizing recruitment processes and introducing fast document processing mechanisms could be medium and long-term solutions to remove current bottlenecks.
