France’s labour needs open doors for struggling Zimbabwean workers
HARARE – France’s escalating need for foreign labor to address its workforce crisis has presented new employment opportunities for individuals, including those from Zimbabwe, in key sectors such as healthcare, construction, and agriculture.
The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat) estimated in its 2022 census that there were at least 908,913 Zimbabweans living abroad, with South Africa and the United Kingdom hosting the largest populations.
For instance, South Africa’s 2016 census estimated 574,047 Zimbabweans in that country, while Zimstat estimated 23,166 in the UK, though other sources suggest significantly higher figures for the UK.
The country is currently seeing an accelerated migration due to the economic crisis, with UK data showing a 424% increase in skilled visas issued to Zimbabweans between 2020 and 2022, marking the biggest increase for any country during that period.
A recent study by the French think tank Terra Nova projects a need for 250,000 to 310,000 foreign workers annually by 2040, driven by an aging population and declining local workforce participation.
This growing demand presents potential opportunities for individuals from countries like Zimbabwe, currently experiencing accelerated migration due to economic challenges.
According to Travelobiz.com, France in 2022 welcomed approximately 331,000 immigrants, a figure expected to remain steady or increase to meet the rising labour market demands.
Key sectors already struggling to find enough local workers include healthcare, construction, agriculture, and cleaning services.
The healthcare sector, in particular, demonstrates a high reliance on international professionals.
In the Ile-de-France region, which encompasses Paris, foreign nationals constitute 61% of healthcare workers.
Furthermore, about 20% of doctors in public institutions received their training overseas. Similarly, construction and agriculture face persistent shortages, especially for manual and seasonal labor, leading to increased government reliance on immigrant workers.
The cleaning services industry also heavily depends on foreign workers to maintain urban and public spaces.
Beyond these traditional labour-intensive fields, France also has a growing demand for skilled professionals in Tech and IT, with opportunities for developers and engineers.
For foreign workers seeking to enter the French job market, several visa pathways are available, Travelobiz.com:
Talent Passport (Passeport Talent):
A multi-year, renewable residence permit designed for highly qualified professionals such as engineers, researchers, artists, and entrepreneurs. It offers a validity of up to four years and allows spouses and children to obtain residence permits.
Employee Visa (Salarié):
A general work visa for individuals with a secured employment contract from a French employer. This visa typically requires the employer to demonstrate that the position could not be filled by a French or EU citizen, with sector priorities in construction, cleaning, healthcare, and hospitality.
Seasonal Worker Visa:
Suitable for foreign nationals looking for agricultural, tourism, or hospitality work for up to six months per year, on a renewable basis.
Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Visa:
Ideal for employees transferred within multinational companies to a French branch, valid for one to three years.
EU Blue Card: Designed for highly skilled non-EU professionals with a competitive job offer and recognized qualifications, requiring a university degree or equivalent and a salary at least 1.5 times the French average gross annual wage.
Specific Sector Visas:
Dedicated programs may exist for certain professions, such as healthcare professionals.
For Zimbabweans, who are experiencing significant outward migration due to economic pressures, France’s increasing demand for foreign workers in critical sectors could represent new avenues for employment and stability.
