In recent years, the Romanian family has expanded with new members, especially from Asian countries. Babysitters, drivers, personal assistants, cooks - they all end up spending 24 hours a day with their employers - usually people from wealthier families, who offer them not just a salary but also accommodation in the same house with them. 100 000 foreign workers arrived in Romania last year. This year, the government has decided to issue 101TPTP3T fewer work permits for foreign workers, because the available jobs have to go primarily to Romanians looking for work.
Hinay is from the Philippines and has been working for two years in Romania for a family in the capital. She does it all: she's a nanny, a housekeeper and a helper in the house.
"I take care of the 3 year old, at the same time I cook and clean and do everything around. They treat me well, they are very good employers. I stay here as long as I can. My first experience was very difficult for me because of the different weather; it was hard for me, but now it's already good", said Met Kitco Hinay Column.
Most of the time, these workers are brought in by specialized companies, live in the employer's home and are available almost around the clock. They take care of everything to do with daily life: taking children to school, shopping, cooking, taking care of pets and dealing with various logistical problems.
Demand for such services remains high, recruitment agencies say. Salaries for a personal assistant or nanny in Romania range between 3,700 and 5,000 lei, and vary depending on experience and availability. A cook's assistant is paid €650, as is an unskilled construction worker. In addition to the basic wage, most foreign workers receive per diem or food, accommodation and sometimes transportation between their place of accommodation and work.
"Demand remained steady for domestic and skilled staff. Nannies, housekeepers, care, gardener and driver, and for the skilled side, starting with construction, HoReCa, industries, agriculture. Romanians are used to foreign workers, nannies, housekeepers, and from Indonesia, they are part of the family, practically", said Yosef Gavriel Peisakh, recruitment agency manager.
This trend highlights a bigger problem: Romania's labor shortage. The shortfall is estimated at 600,000 employees, with foreign workers filling only part of the gap.
"There is an interest to come to Romania. Romania is an attractive country for the labor force from abroad, it's in the EU, it's in Schengen, integration is increasing, the degree of integration, and lately we have noticed that Romania is no longer a transit country to the West. Since joining Schengen, the workforce has stabilized here and we are becoming a destination country", said Romulus Badea from the Employers' Association of Importers of Labor.
Despite the increased interest, the authorities have reduced the number of foreign workers accepted in Romania by 10,000 for 2026 compared to last year. Only 90,000 will be able to come to work this year.
