SARAJEVO-ROMANIJA REGION SEEKING 600 WORKERS AHEAD OF WINTER SEASON

Employers from the Sarajevo-Romanija region are actively seeking around 600 workers, primarily in the hospitality and tourism sectors, as preparations ramp up for the upcoming winter season. Hotel operators on Jahorina Mountain, anticipating a busy season, have already begun recruiting chefs, waitstaff, and other essential personnel.

The Job Fair, set to take place on October 7 at Hotel "Vučko" on Jahorina, has already attracted 37 employers from the region, offering nearly 600 job vacancies.

Damjan Škipina, Director of the Republic of Srpska Employment Service, told Glas Srpske that the highest demand is in tourism and hospitality, especially as Jahorina's hotels gear up for the winter.

"In addition to hotels, the Olympic Center Jahorina and employers in manufacturing, retail, and construction will also participate," Škipina said, adding that some employers are offering permanent contracts.

He emphasized the value of direct interaction between job seekers and employers at the fair. "This is an opportunity for job seekers to learn about working conditions, salaries, and even visit the workplaces on site. These direct conversations have proven highly effective. For example, at a job fair in Banja Luka this May, 28 employers offered 400 jobs, and about 300 people were hired as a result of on-the-spot interviews."

To assist unemployed individuals from areas covered by the East Sarajevo Employment Branch, free transportation to Jahorina is being organized in cooperation with local municipalities and forestry enterprises.

"Lists of participants have been prepared, and Employment Service staff will accompany job seekers. We want to give as many people as possible the chance to meet potential employers," Škipina said, adding that employer registrations will remain open until the end of the week.

He also thanked local authorities, associations, and Hotel 'Vučko' staff for their support in organizing the event. Škipina confirmed the Employment Service plans to continue organizing job fairs in the future.

"We plan to increase the number of fairs next year, tailoring them to regional needs. For instance, Trebinje sees the highest demand in spring, when many people head to the Adriatic coast, while Semberija experiences peak demand during the fruit and vegetable harvest season," Škipina noted.

In addition to job opportunities, the fair will also host discussions on university enrollment policies and their alignment with labor market needs, involving representatives from relevant ministries and the academic community.

Škipina announced that the new website of the Employment Service of Republika Srpska has gone live, and the next phase includes the development of a Labor Exchange Platform. This will allow both job seekers and employers to track job offers and labor demand more effectively.

"Employers will be able to see which unemployed individuals match their requirements," Škipina explained. "The goal is to bring job seekers and employers closer and speed up hiring, especially in cases where employers can’t visit employment offices in person. The platform is expected to launch by spring."

Goran Kurtinović, Deputy Chairman and Board Member of the HORECA Association (Employers’ Association for Hospitality and Tourism in RS), said the demand for hospitality workers has slightly decreased following the end of the Adriatic summer season.

"However, the lack of skilled labor remains a major issue, affecting service quality. We believe it’s time for more concrete action to address this challenge," Kurtinović concluded.