As Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) continually seek better employment opportunities abroad, Croatia has emerged as a compelling destination for those in the culinary profession. Unlike traditional OFW hubs in the Middle East, Croatia offers not only competitive salaries but also improved working conditions, making it an attractive option for chefs and kitchen workers.
This article explores the salary landscape and work environment in Croatia, highlighting why it stands out as a promising destination for OFWs aiming for a rewarding culinary career.
Chef and Kitchen Worker Salaries in Croatia for OFWs
This article is based on a YouTube video by the vlogger iLonggo Bisdak in Europe. In this video, the OFW talked about salary ranges for various types of kitchen professions in Croatia and other related information. If you want to watch the full video, click on the link below:
Culinary Scene in Croatia
Croatia’s growing culinary reputation has created numerous opportunities for chefs and kitchen workers. Upscale restaurants, boutique hotels, and seaside resorts are constantly on the lookout for talented culinary staff to meet the expectations of both local and international visitors. This demand makes Croatia an appealing destination for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) seeking to showcase their culinary skills and gain valuable international experience.
Salary Expectations
Croatia has become an increasingly appealing destination for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), particularly those in the culinary field, seeking competitive salaries and improved working conditions. Unlike traditional OFW destinations like the Middle East, Croatia offers not only promising pay scales but also a range of benefits that contribute to a better quality of life.
Average Salaries and Employment Conditions
- Kitchen Helper: On average, a kitchen helper in Croatia can expect to earn around 600 euros per month. However, this figure can vary depending on the agency. Some agencies require a specific number of working hours per month, typically around 200 hours. Meeting this requirement ensures full salary payment, while exceeding it may result in overtime pay. Additionally, kitchen helpers often enjoy benefits such as free accommodation, transport, and meals. Notably, it’s acceptable for kitchen staff to eat while on duty, a practice not commonly permitted in other countries.
- Assistant Chef: Assistant chefs in Croatia typically earn between 750 to 850 euros per month. Similar to kitchen helpers, meeting the required number of working hours per month is essential to ensure full salary payment. The specifics of the salary may vary based on the employer, whether it’s a hotel or an agency.
- Grill Man (Grilled Chef): The position of grill man commands higher compensation, ranging from 950 to 1000 euros per month. Like other culinary roles, grill men enjoy benefits such as free accommodation, transport, and meals, enhancing their overall compensation package.
- Sous Chef or Cook: Among the highest-paid roles in the culinary industry in Croatia, sous chefs or cooks can expect to earn between 1000 to 1200 euros per month. With increased responsibility and skill requirements, these positions offer attractive salaries and benefits.
In Croatia, as in many other countries, the higher the position within the culinary hierarchy, the higher the salary. Sous chefs and head chefs, for example, command higher pay scales compared to entry-level kitchen helpers or assistant chefs. Additionally, as professionals gain experience and expertise in their roles, they may negotiate higher salaries and better employment conditions.
Direct Hire Salary Scale
- Kitchen Helper: Direct-hire kitchen helpers in Croatia typically earn between 850 to 900 euros per month. This higher salary range reflects the benefits of being directly employed by a company or establishment, offering greater financial stability and security.
- Assistant Cook: Directly hired assistant cooks command salaries ranging from 950 to 1000 euros per month. With increased responsibilities and skill requirements, these positions offer attractive compensation packages that reward expertise and dedication.
- Sous Chef: Direct-hire sous chefs, or “sioux chefs” as they are commonly known, enjoy even higher salaries, ranging from 1300 to 1500 euros per month. These positions represent the pinnacle of culinary achievement in Croatia and offer substantial financial rewards for experienced professionals.
Advantages of being a direct hire employee in Croatia
- Freedom from Agency Constraints: Direct-hire positions in Croatia offer OFWs the freedom to pursue their culinary careers without the constraints of agency contracts. Unlike agency-hired workers, who may be bound by specific terms and conditions, direct-hire employees have more control over their career paths and are not beholden to a particular agency.
- Opportunities for Career Growth: Directly hired employees have greater opportunities for career advancement within their respective companies or establishments. With dedication and skill, kitchen helpers can progress to assistant cook roles, and eventually, to coveted positions as sous chefs, unlocking higher salaries and greater prestige along the way.
The Vlogger’s Salary
The vlogger’s gross earnings and deductions are as follows:
- Monthly Earnings: Our vlogger earns a gross income of 1752.77 euros, equating to approximately 105,300 pesos in one month. However, this figure represents the total earnings before deductions.
- Tax Deduction: Croatian tax regulations mandate a 20 percent tax rate, resulting in 147 euros deducted from the vlogger’s gross income.
- Insurance Deduction: Vloggers are obligated to contribute to insurance, typically at rates of 15 percent for health insurance and 5 percent for other forms of insurance. Accordingly, our vlogger’s health insurance deduction amounts to 238.16 euros, while other insurance policies require 79.39 euros.
Net Earnings
After accounting for taxes and insurance contributions, the vlogger’s net income stands at 1,289.36 euros per month. In Philippine pesos, this translates to approximately 77,400 pesos.
The culinary landscape in Croatia offers a promising blend of competitive salaries, career progression opportunities, and favorable working conditions for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in search of a rewarding career abroad. Whether starting as a kitchen helper or aiming for prestigious positions like sous chef, Croatia serves as a gateway to financial stability and professional fulfillment.