Are We Ready to Import Workers from Third Countries?

What Challenges Does the Business Face?

You own a business or manage a Bulgarian company. The sector or industry in which you operate may be manufacturing, processing, construction, agriculture, hospitality, transportation, logistics, or services. Your main business may be in Sofia, other large cities, or even in demographically depopulated areas where there is a severe shortage of available workforce. Whether you are a large, small, or medium-sized company, you have likely faced challenges over the past year when trying to hire workers or employees, including:

• A critically limited number or complete absence of candidates applying for your job postings.
• Lack of motivation among job seekers to put in even minimal effort in the application process.
• Endless demands and requirements from candidates regarding working hours, location, remote work, shifts, and start dates.
• Lack of relevant qualifications and experience necessary for the job you are hiring for.
• Unrealistic salary expectations bordering on science fiction, along with demands for bonuses, benefits, and additional care.
• A lack of commitment to work quality and your company’s goals.

At the same time, your business is under pressure from:

• Competition from other companies.
• Inflation and the decreasing purchasing power of customers.
• Increasing regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Rising taxes, social security contributions, and government licenses.
• New and growing expenses.

And yet, you still want to invest in innovations, improvements, and assets.

Is There a Solution?

In recent years, while traveling to neighboring countries, you may have noticed an increasing number of employees who are not native to the country they work in—at airports, restaurants, hotels, and shops. This is just the visible part of the service sector. If you venture outside the capital city’s center, you will likely see many foreign workers in transportation, warehouses, logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, elderly care, agriculture, and more. Sometimes, this shift is accompanied by a noticeable decline in service quality.

You might be asking yourself:
Why not try hiring from a labor pool I haven't previously had access to?

Are we ready to import workers from third countries? What benefits or drawbacks could this bring?

The Challenges and Their Solutions

Here are some common concerns about hiring foreign workers and potential solutions:

• Language Barriers and Communication Challenges

Possible Solution: Foreign workers learn Bulgarian quickly. In many countries, English is a widely spoken second language, while in others, Slavic or similar languages make communication easier. Additionally, job roles and tasks can be simplified to require minimal terminology, relying more on numbers and structured instructions.

• Cultural Differences, Unclear Work Ethic

Possible Solution: With clearly defined and transparent rules, foreign workers can be trained to follow your company’s operational standards. Many countries actually have a stronger work ethic than Bulgaria—where employees are used to working six days a week, strictly adhering to schedules, and minimizing breaks. Moreover, workers from lower-income countries actively seek voluntary overtime to send extra earnings back home.

• Additional Costs: Travel, Accommodation, Training, and Recruitment Fees

Possible Solution: A cost-benefit analysis often shows that recruitment costs (job postings, agency fees, and employee transport expenses) are comparable to hiring locally. Additionally, consider the lost revenue due to production shortages or missed sales and service opportunities caused by workforce shortages.

• Unfamiliar Administrative Procedures, Visa, and Work Permit Regulations

Possible Solution: Hiring a professional business consultant or recruitment agency can simplify the process, ensuring proper document handling and communication with government institutions.

• Slow Hiring Process

Unfortunately, bureaucratic processes cannot be entirely avoided. However, experienced professionals can help navigate obstacles, preventing document rejections and unnecessary delays.

• Lack of International Contacts, Difficulty Identifying Suitable Countries for Recruitment

Possible Solution: Licensed employment agencies specializing in international hiring can guide you through the process and connect you with reliable labor sources.

The Advantages of Hiring Foreign Workers

There are also significant benefits to consider:

• Access to a Diverse Talent Pool

You can select workers based on your company’s needs, team structure, and industry requirements. Hiring options are available across various regions, including:

• • Europe: Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Moldova, Belarus, Russia, Turkey.
  • Asia: India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and more.
  • Africa: Egypt, Morocco, Mozambique, Zimbabwe.

• Broader Selection of Candidates

Having even a limited choice of applicants is better than having no workforce at all.

• Highly Motivated Workers

Many foreign workers come from lower-income countries where finding European employment is highly competitive. Their main goal is to support their families financially, making them willing to work overtime and maintain a modest lifestyle while abroad.

Conclusion

The labor market in Bulgaria is rapidly changing. With free movement within the EU and the Schengen area, many Bulgarian workers are choosing to work abroad, driving up local wages and labor costs. It is only logical for businesses to seek ways to compensate for workforce shortages—whether due to demographic, economic, or market-driven reasons—while also securing access to a more cost-effective labor force.

Foreign workers do not undermine the local labor market. They receive equal pay, contribute to social security and taxes, and generate economic value that fuels exports and tax revenues.

 

Find out more about the recruitment process for third-country workers [HERE]
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