Seasonal workers urgently needed: Croatia and Montenegro in need!

Seasonal workers urgently needed: Croatia and Montenegro in need!

In Croatia and Montenegro, the catering industry is facing a serious crisis as there is a shortage of around 55,000 to 65,000 seasonal workers before the upcoming summer season. Loud Cosmo It is expected that Montenegro will need around 20,000 seasonal workers, including at least 8,000 in Budva alone. This shows how dramatic the labor shortage is in these two countries, particularly in tourism and hospitality.

The high demand for workers is also reflected in salaries: waiters can earn between 1,000 and 1,500 euros, while chefs can earn up to 3,000 euros per month. Other in-demand positions include bartenders, receptionists and chefs, with many positions offering room and board, significantly reducing the cost of living.

Challenges in the labor market

However, the applicant situation is worrying. While there are many applications for low-skilled positions such as kitchen assistants and receptionists, there is a shortage of qualified workers for positions such as pastry chefs and grill masters. ASNS President Ranka Savic points out that salaries in the Serbian hospitality industry are often only at the minimum wage level, which encourages young people to often work in these professions for only a short period of time.

With the approaching start of the season, a worsening problem on the labor market in the region is expected. The Serbian labor market is also facing a shortage of workers in low-skilled professions, which is why employers in Croatia and Montenegro are increasingly relying on personnel from Serbia.

Measures to combat labor shortages

Given the growing problem of labor shortages in many EU countries, including Croatia and Montenegro, the EU agency Eurofound has identified various approaches to combat this shortage. Loud EURES The measures aim to increase the attractiveness of the workforce by investing in further training and by meeting the needs of underemployed groups such as refugees and students.

An example from Cyprus shows how companies can attract new talent through training programs. Work is also underway in Helsinki to train nursing staff to meet the needs of the healthcare system.

Broader perspectives on the labor market

In addition to the specific challenges in Croatia and Montenegro, a study by the Ifo Institute shows that the shortage of workers and skilled workers poses a threat to supply in many EU member states. The causes are diverse and include the age of the workforce and the new demands for digital and green skills in the world of work, as discussed in the report available at ifo.de can find.

The combination of these approaches and the need to invest in workforce training and upskilling could be the key to combating the region's looming labor shortage in the long term.