By Marko Barišić: Croatia is tightening regulations on foreign worker employment. The government is introducing strict new laws to combat exploitation and illegal labour practices. This article explores how the amended Law on Foreigners is reshaping the hiring landscape. It also protects workers’ rights and preserves Croatian social integrity. This comes amidst rising immigration and workforce demands.
Cracking down on foreign worker abuse
It’s been just over two months since the Croatian Parliament passed amendments to the Law on Foreigners. These were primarily aimed at regulating Croatia foreign workers’ employment. Unusually, the changes received support not only from the ruling majority but also from the opposition.
New laws replace disorder with regulation
According to available data, a sector that was once marked by near-lawlessness is now being brought under control. There is no longer unchecked recruitment or even the resale of foreign workers between various agencies. A foreigner can now only be employed once all legal conditions are met, ensuring due process for Croatia foreign workers.
As a result of the new rules, the Croatian Employment Service has refused to issue 18,000 work permits. Employment agencies have also submitted 70% fewer applications than before.
“It’s no longer hard to find a worker, but to legally employ them,” complain some employers. Many of whom may have previously operated outside legal boundaries. The strict requirements for bringing in foreign workers and the intensification of inspections are now deterring that behavior across sectors.
Severe penalties
Penalties are harsh—not just financial, but also reputational. Employers who break the law are added to a so-called black-list. The most severe punishment is a temporary work ban, which severely affects the hiring of foreign workers in Croatia.
Police are actively involved as well. In a short span, they have checked more than 15,000 vehicles and 33,500 foreign workers. Additionally, they have reviewed over 5,000 documents to verify authenticity.
One consequence of this crackdown has been the termination of cooperation between digital platforms and 24 labour intermediaries known as “aggregators”. Additionally, 63 taxi licenses have been revoked. Dozens of forged driver’s licenses have been discovered. For example, some individuals possessed two, one from their country of origin and another from Qatar.
Exploitation of foreign workers uncovered
Some employers exploited Croatia foreign workers by avoiding pension contributions. They also formally registered them for part-time work while demanding full-time hours. Moreover, they paid the balance in cash.
Inspectors are also reviewing worker accommodation, which must now meet minimum space requirements. No longer can dozens of workers be crammed into substandard housing conditions.
Anyone failing to meet legal standards faces fines, and if not rectified promptly, a work ban follows. This aligns with an earlier statement from Minister of the Interior Davor Božinović, who said that Croatia “needs foreign workers, but not at any cost”.
Conditions now apply to employing foreign workers
Under the new law, employers wanting to hire foreign workers in Croatia must employ at least one Croatian citizen full-time for a minimum of one continuous year. They must also be engaged in economic activity, and generate turnover. Moreover, they must not be listed among employers previously caught using undeclared labour.
The ultimate goal is not just to regulate foreign employment, but also to preserve Croatia’s way of life. Authorities want to prevent the emergence of ghettos or parallel societies in certain urban areas.
The hope is to avoid the fate of some Western European cities, where certain neighborhoods become no-go zones for locals after dark.