TENEGRO FACES SHORTAGE OF 20,000 WORKERS DURING SUMMER SEASON

According to estimates by the Employment Agency of Montenegro, the country’s labour market is facing a shortage of at least 20,000 workers during the summer season, with the biggest deficit recorded in tourism, hospitality and construction, while demand is also growing in healthcare and education.

David Perčović, director of the Employment Agency of Montenegro, explained in the “Colors of Morning” programme on TV Vijesti that the estimates are based on statistics related to the employment of foreign workers.

“Every year, more than 40,000 foreign workers are employed in Montenegro. If even half of them work seasonal jobs, that already means around 20,000 workers are missing during the summer season alone,” Perčović said.

The most sought-after professions this year remain waiters, chefs, assistant chefs, bartenders, maids, receptionists and cleaners.

Although salaries in the tourism sector have increased significantly, interest among the domestic workforce is still not sufficient.

“Young people often give up after only a few days when they see the accommodation conditions and how physically demanding the jobs are,” Perčović added.

So far, more than 13,700 work permits for foreign workers have been issued, with the largest number of employees arriving from Turkey, Serbia, Russia and Azerbaijan.

Officials from the Employment Agency stated that preparations for this year’s tourist season started earlier than usual. More than 10 employment fairs were organised across the country, while around 500 seasonal workers have already been hired through the agency’s mediation.