Labor deficit at record levels in tourist countries Spain and Portugal

In Spain and Portugal, where the tourism sector makes an important contribution to the country’s economy, the labor deficit, which has increased in recent years, has reached record levels.

The tourism sector, which made up 12.2% of the gross domestic product (GDP) according to 2019 figures before the Covid-19 epidemic in the country, is expected to reach the same figures this year or even exceed them. The labor problem in the sector is striking.

According to data released by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), the personnel gap in the sector increased by 8,217 people in the first half of this year compared to the previous year.

The Union of Workers’ Commissions (CCOO) also announced that since 2019, the shortage of waiters and those who work behind the kitchen has reached 32,000 people.

‘They don’t see it as continuous work’

The owners of cafes, bars and restaurants told the Spanish press: “Nobody wants to be a waiter anymore because they don’t see it as a continuous professional job. It is difficult to find qualified personnel with experience and desire to work. Under current conditions, waiter service is a temporary job.

The Spanish waiter José, who has been working in the industry for 30 years, stated that under normal conditions, the monthly income of a waiter is between 1,300 and 1,400 euros.

José said: “I am currently on sick leave and receiving little pay due to my retroactive social security contributions not being paid in full. You work 12 hours a day instead of 8 hours a day. The younger generation sees it very well and leaves as soon as they find a better one.”

Directors of the association, to which businessmen from the hotel and food and beverage sectors are affiliated, stated that they are aware of the problem and that although employment in the sector has doubled in the last 20 years, the participation of young people in the labor market market has decreased by a third.

According to data from the Braintrust consultancy, Spain, which broke a record in 2019 with 83 million tourists, expects 85 million tourists this year and 100,000 million euros in turnover.

SIMILAR PROBLEMS ARE EXPERIENCED IN PORTUGAL

Portugal, where the share of tourism in GDP reached 15 percent in 2019 (due to the highest level before Covid-19), has similar problems with Spain regarding staff shortages.

The Association of Cafeteria, Bar and Restaurant Operators of Portugal (AHP) reported that the shortage of personnel in the sector increased by 45 thousand people in 2023 compared to 2019.

The president of the AHP, Cristina Siza Vieria, said that the number of tourists increased by 26 percent in the January-May period compared to the same period of the previous year, but they had difficulties in meeting the demand due to the shortage of personnel. .

Vieria stated that despite the increase in tourist demand, the shortage of personnel in the food and beverage sector reached 34 thousand people in 2023 compared to 2019.

Portugal, which registered its best year in number of tourists in 2019 with 27 million, intends to exceed this figure in 2023. (BRITISH AUTOMOBILE CLUB)