In January 2024, Al Jazeera released a two part series on the alleged exploitation of Filipino migrant workers migrating to Poland for work. The first part of the series can be read here.

In the second part of the series, Al Jazeera interviewed five Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong and read statements from 20 others. The workers allege they experienced exploitative recruitment practices, including by two agencies in Hong Kong working with a Polish agency. The article focuses on 'third country' recruitment practices, which are prohibited by the Philippine labour authorities. Workers describe paying extortionate fees under false promises of employment, sometimes for jobs that do not materialise.

The article outlines complaints against CIS Group Manpower, a Polish recruitment agency, and it’s Hong Kong partner Son Employment. CIS Group Manpower told Al Jazeera that the agency is “honest”, follows regulations, and no longer works with Son Employment. Son Employment rejected CIS Group Manpower’s claim and said it was a “victim” of CIS Group Manpower.

In March 2024, Al Jazeera released an article further outlining exploitative recruitment practices and labour rights violations experienced by Filipino workers in Poland. The article includes interviews with six Filipino migrant workers employed in Poland.

Workers describe migrating under false promises of regularised status, only to find themselves undocumented and facing deportation after arrival. Workers allegedly are charged thousands of dollars in recruitment fees, sometimes for jobs that do not exist. Workers also experience irregular work and poor living conditions, among other labour rights abuses.

In April 2024, Al Jazeera released another article exploring the labour rights abuses experienced by Filipino workers in Poland further. The article follows a year-long investigation, including interviews with 22 Filipino women migrants working in Poland. Most of these workers experienced exploitative working conditions and labour rights abuses. The article outlines several violations, including wage theft, arbitrary dismissal, unsuitable or precarious living conditions, restricted freedom of movement, unreasonable working hours, contract substitution and passport confiscation, among other issues. The workers are employed in several sectors, including in factories (including poultry factories), warehouses, farms, hotels, householders, and construction sites. Agriculture and hospitality are particularly problematic industries.