Warning out on Poland jobs

FILIPINO APPLICANTS FOR JOBS IN Poland should think twice before accepting an offer.

The Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday advised Poland-bound workers, particularly those recruited as “mushroom pickers,” not to proceed there, citing many complaints of low wages and unfavorable working conditions.

“There are approximately 86 Filipino women currently deployed or working as mushroom pickers in Poland. The majority of these workers are not happy with their jobs due to very low wages, unfavorable working conditions and substandard accommodations,” Philippine Ambassador to Poland Alejandro D. del Rosario said in a report.

He said these workers were not directly employed by the mushroom companies but through a Polish recruitment agency that subcontracted their services. The mushroom company, therefore, is not concerned with the welfare of the workers, Del Rosario said.

Workers are paid on a per-kilo basis, which is dependent on the availability of mushrooms for picking and the orders received from customers. Rates per kilo also depend on whether the mushroom is of first-, second- or third-class quality.

In effect, there is no fixed wage for a mushroom picker, with workers’ monthly earnings varying from $150 to $500, the ambassador said.

Some of the workers said they were promised $600 a month by the Polish recruitment firm but ended up with a net pay of only $180 a month.

Del Rosario said Euroconnect, a Polish recruiting agency which works with Javier Manning based in Malate, Manila, were responsible for the plight of 19 mushroom pickers who walked out of their jobs because of unfair labor practices. Cynthia D. Balana - Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 14, 2010