Working in production abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

What is working in production abroad like?

• Working in production abroad means working in factories, workshops, or production lines where goods are made, processed, packaged, or assembled.
• This can range from food production and logistical assembly to industrial production, recycling, textiles, or high-tech components.
• Production work is needed worldwide and relatively quickly accessible.

Responsibilities

• Operating and inspecting machines.
• Packing, sorting, and assembling products.
• Quality control and basic measurements.
• Maintaining and cleaning workstations.
• Shift work (day, evening, or night).

Working conditions

• Often operational work, sometimes without extensive training.
• Contracts through temporary employment agencies, factories, or seasonal work.
• Hourly or piece-rate wages, sometimes including housing.
• Regular shift allowances or overtime.
• Work can be physically demanding and repetitive.
• Language skills are sometimes required to a limited extent, but vary by country.
• Safety regulations and work cultures vary widely.
• In some countries, work is strictly regulated, in others less so.

What are the reasons for working in production abroad?

• To be involved: Directly contributing to a tangible end product yields quick results and satisfaction.
• To learn to work results-oriented: Production revolves around output: quantities, quality, and deadlines.
• To become stress-resistant: Peak periods, pace, and shifts require mental resilience.
• To practice flexibility: Working hours, tasks, and pace can vary from day to day.
• To become organizationally aware: Gain insight into how processes, logistics, and people intertwine.
• To collaborate: Production lines only function well if teams are well-coordinated.

What skills and motivations do you need to work in production abroad?

• To collaborate: In production environments, teamwork is almost always required. Whether it's a factory, packaging line, or assembly hall: the pace is high, and everyone is interdependent.
• To be flexible: Working days, tasks, and hours can vary by country, season, or client. One week you are working on a production line, the next you are helping with logistics or quality control.
• Be stress-resistant: Production work can be physically demanding and sometimes takes place under time pressure. Think of peak periods, deadlines, or shifts.
• Be results-oriented: Production often revolves around quantities, quality, and efficiency.
• Be organizationally aware: Clear rules, structures, and hierarchies apply, and it's important to understand them well.

What are the best countries and locations to work in production abroad?

• Countries with large industrial sectors: Germany, China, the United States, Japan, South Korea.
• Countries with significant production and assembly work: Poland, the Czech Republic, Vietnam, Thailand, Mexico.
• Countries popular for temporary and seasonal production work: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland.
• Emerging production countries: India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Ghana, Morocco.
• Regions with significant food and packaging industries: Spain, Italy, France, Brazil, Argentina.

What are the risks of working in production abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

• What are the risks of working in production abroad?
  • It is common that at the workplace accidents happen, such as cuts, bruises, burns, or crush injuries caused by machinery, are common.
  • It is common for physical complaints to arise, for example, in the back, shoulders, or knees, are common due to heavy or repetitive work.
  • It is common for safety standards to vary from country to country, resulting in inadequate protective equipment or training.
  • It is common that fatigue often plays a role, especially during night shifts or long workdays.
  • Access to adequate medical care is often limited, especially with temporary contracts or informal work arrangements.
• Are you insured while working in production abroad?
  • There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad.
  • Local employers generally offer limited or no supplementary insurance.
  • There's a risk of accidents, for example, because you are doing work with which you have little experience.
  • During work, internships, or volunteering abroad where you receive compensation or a salary, your own health insurance coverage in your home country may be cancelled.
  • See the pages on: insuring international Insurances for working abroad, for internships abroad, for volunteering abroad, or for expats and emigrants.