The EU has registered 3391 victims of forced labor: how to verify a job vacancy

An attractive job vacancy with a high salary and accommodation may conceal the risk of labor exploitation. Job seekers are advised to verify the employer, contract, and possible deductions before departing, especially considering the risks of working in Poland. This is reported by TSN referring to specialists from Gremi Personal.

Dangerous vacancies abroad: what signs to check in 2026

Recruitment may start with a regular announcement on social media. The candidate is promised a quick departure, assistance with documents, and free accommodation. Upon arrival, the conditions change, and dependence on the employer is heightened through housing, transport, or an invented debt.

«Modern human trafficking can start from quite an ordinary job vacancy,» emphasize Gremi Personal.

Particular attention is required for offers where:

• they promise excessively high payment without corresponding requirements;
• they conceal the legal name of the employer and the job address;
• they refuse to send the contract before departure;
• they rush the decision or require prepayment;
• they communicate only via messenger without official contacts.

A separate sign alone does not prove a crime, but is a reason to pause and verify the offer. Such tactics are also used by those who spread fake job vacancies online.

According to Eurostat, in 2024 the EU registered 9678 victims of human trafficking. Among the cases with known forms of exploitation, 3391 individuals, or 37%, suffered from forced labor. This is the recorded victims' statistics, not an indicator of the likelihood of suffering for each labor migrant.

Verifying the employer in Poland: what to do before departure in 2026

The Polish employment agency can be found in the KRAZ register through the STOR system. To search, ask for its full name, registration number, and tax identification number (NIP).

The found record should be matched with the contract details and interlocutor's contacts. The mere existence of a company in the register does not confirm that the person in the messenger truly represents it. It is better to contact the agency through independently found official contacts.

Before purchasing tickets, one should agree in writing on the gross or net rate, guaranteed hours, overtime pay, accommodation costs, transportation, and all deductions. A high rate alone does not indicate how much money will remain after expenses.

If after arrival your passport is taken away, you are threatened, your movement is restricted, or you are forced to work off an invented debt, you should seek help from the police and organizations supporting victims. Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy also helps with labor rights violations in Poland, and for consular issues, you can contact Ukrainian diplomatic institutions.

Keep copies of documents and the contract separately, and leave the address of work and accommodation with loved ones. Additionally, it is useful to study reviews of employees about the employer, comparing them with documents and official data.