While thousands of Albanians continue to leave for Western countries, Albania is facing a significant increase in foreign workers, mainly from the Philippines, India and Egypt. According to official data, more than 22,000 foreign citizens have received work residence permits, with most employed in construction, industry, tourism and services.
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However, behind this growth lie concerns over exploitation, violated contracts, informal employment and a lack of legal protection. Experts warn that many workers are promised better conditions in their countries of origin, but after arriving in Albania they face different salaries and duties from those initially agreed.
Labor Inspectorate controls have identified cases of illegal employment and violations of workplace safety regulations. A fatal accident involving two Egyptian workers in Tirana raised questions about the monitoring of workers’ qualifications and employment conditions.
International reports have also raised concerns about recruitment agency fraud and the lack of effective complaint mechanisms for migrants. Albania is facing a new economic reality, where the need for foreign labor requires stronger controls while ensuring greater protection of workers’ rights.