Lack of personnel threatens Magdeburg Christmas markets: dealers in worry!

Lack of personnel threatens Magdeburg Christmas markets: dealers in worry!

The Christmas markets face a serious problem: dealers and showmen are missing! Paul-Gerhard Stieger, Managing Director of Magdeburger Christmas Market GmbH, warns of a worrying development. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find employees at short notice, despite attractive wages that are often above the minimum wage.

The situation has been particularly tightened since Corona pandemic. Many employees have been looking for new jobs in other industries, which makes personnel search for a gambling. Olaf Haase, chairman of the Magdeburg showmen association, reports of hour wages between 15 and 17 euros net for simple work, but even that is not enough to win reliable employees. He often has to operate his stands with the help of family members, which also affects the situation.

A vicious circle of sales

"With fewer staff you cannot achieve the sales that would be possible," explains Haase. A dangerous cycle that brings the Christmas market farms into a precarious location. In addition, there are cancellations of potential employees who fear earnings more than in the civil allowance - a financial incentive that further complicates the search for workers. Robert Hoffmann, second chairman of the showman association from Halle, is optimistic about the upcoming markets. Last year the conditions were anything but ideal, but this year the weather could play a crucial role. In Magdeburg and Halle, the Christmas markets open the week before the first weekend in Advent - an exciting time is imminent!