BUDVA SEEKS 8,000 SEASONAL WORKERS FOR SUMMER SEASON

The largest state-owned hotel company in Montenegro, the Budvanska Rivijera Hotel Group, has opened applications for nearly 600 seasonal workers.

Positions available include housekeepers, head waiters, beach and pool coordinators, toll booth operators, lift boys, laundry warehouse assistants, kitchen helpers, specialist chefs, receptionists, cashiers, electric vehicle food transport drivers, bakers, sales assistants, hygiene supervisors, lifeguards, entertainers, warehouse clerks, and more, according to the Montenegrin newspaper Vijesti.

This marks the official start of the search for seasonal workers in Budva, one of the most in-demand roles, as the tourism industry requires nearly 8,000 workers for the upcoming summer.

Declining Local Interest

Unfortunately, interest among Montenegrin workers has been declining for several years, with many opting for jobs in neighboring Croatia. Employers face significant challenges in hiring foreign workers due to complex procedures. Last summer, hotels in Budva employed workers not only from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia, but also from Moldova and even India.

The Budvanska Rivijera Hotel Group assured Vijesti that all seasonal workers will be provided with accommodation and three meals a day.

"For the upcoming tourist season, we have advertised open positions. Each year, we require around 600 seasonal workers in various roles. The Employment Agency website lists vacancies for housekeepers, waiters, bartenders, chefs, bakers, pastry chefs, kitchen assistants, and cleaners," the company’s PR office stated.

They further noted that around 120 housekeepers and 50 cleaners, waiters, and chefs are needed. The demand for seasonal workers has been high for years, with fewer available candidates on Montenegro’s labor market. As a result, the company has taken additional steps to secure labor and find new sources of seasonal workers from distant markets.

"Last year, we hired Indian workers for the first time—about 60 of them—and we expect that number to increase this year. Visa applications have been submitted, and we anticipate their arrival by April," the company representatives added.

Investments and Infrastructure Upgrades

The company also highlighted ongoing investment projects aimed at upgrading Slovenska Plaža, the largest tourist resort on the Montenegrin coast.

"Following the renovation of the Maslina and Ruzmarin villas in 2022, Slovenska Plaža will undergo further renovations this year, with four additional villas—Limun, Magnolija, Kana, and Mirta—being upgraded. This will elevate 334 accommodation units from three to four-star standards."

Industry Challenges and Workforce Shortages

The President of the Budva Hospitality Association, Aleksandar Laki Jovanović, stated that Montenegro needs approximately 19,000 to 20,000 seasonal workers in the hospitality and accommodation sectors.

"For Budva alone, we estimate around 7,000 to 8,000 seasonal workers are needed. This remains a pressing issue not only for Montenegro but also for other tourist destinations. The challenge in Montenegro is that, despite wage increases, salaries still lag behind competitors. Additionally, our education system does not align with labor market needs, forcing us to import workers," Jovanović told Vijesti.

He emphasized that finding qualified workers will be a significant challenge again this year.

"Administrative delays and legal restrictions make hiring foreign workers difficult. The Ministry of Internal Affairs, responsible for this sector, must modernize its procedures, and Croatia’s legal framework could serve as a model," Jovanović suggested.

Competition for Workforce

The President of the Montenegrin Hotel Association, Nikola Pejović, noted that the seasonal workforce shortage is a chronic problem exacerbated by hiring procedures for foreign workers, as local interest remains low and cannot meet the hospitality industry’s needs.

Pejović, owner of Hotel Grbalj in Budva, identified municipalities and state-owned enterprises as major competitors for labor.

"We are losing waiters, chefs, and other skilled workers to municipal and state jobs, such as utilities, waterworks, and public administration. Despite offering higher salaries, we struggle to compete because public-sector jobs provide shorter working hours, weekends off, paid holidays, and additional benefits," Pejović explained.

However, he noted an increase in interest from Ukrainian citizens looking to work in Montenegrin hotels and restaurants year-round.

Luka Vučković, owner of Café Mozart in Budva’s Old Town, confirmed that labor shortages have been an ongoing issue in Budva.

"Even high wages are not a solution, as Montenegro simply lacks enough trained and qualified workers to meet the tourism industry’s needs. Budva alone requires at least 7,000 workers during peak season," Vučković said.

According to him, the only viable solution is to maintain year-round operations and retain a core workforce that can be supplemented by seasonal hires.

Workforce Shortages in Retail

Balša Mitrović, Executive Director of Megapromet, the largest retail chain in Budva, confirmed that labor shortages also affect the retail sector.

Megapromet operates a chain of ten supermarkets and currently employs around 450 workers.

"Between 65% and 70% of employees have permanent contracts or will soon qualify for one. Labor shortages are a widespread issue across industries, both in terms of quality and increasing employment costs. Recently, the lack of available workers has become an even bigger concern, forcing businesses, including retail, to look abroad for labor," Mitrović explained.

He added that recruiting foreign workers is complicated due to lengthy procedures, further exacerbating labor shortages.