30 May 2019 - From the beginning of the year, more than 4.500 workers have been engaged in seasonal jobs. That is by 50% higher than in the same period last year. The so-called permanent seasonal workers are included. They are persons who renew their contracts with the same employer, said the Chief of the Regional unit Podgorica, Mr Dragan Marović.
He pointed out that mediation was one of the most important roles of the Employment Agency and a challenge at the same time.
According to him, between 9.000 and 10.000 persons are employed via the Employment Agency every year. That is one-quarter of the total number of unemployed persons.
“There is a deficit in the sector of tourism and hospitality. The reason is that the periods of tourism and agriculture season overlap,” said Mr Marović.
Experience suggests that employers look for qualified and auxiliary workforce. Records of the Agency indicate that there is not enough qualified workforce.
“We must devote more effort in order to increase the share of the domestic workforce. “Zaposlimo domaće – Da Crna Gora radi” state campaign has produced good results. We have organized trade fairs in the central and northern part of Montenegro,” said Mr Marović.
Auxiliary jobs are generally intended for women: maids, hygienists, laundry workers, kitchen workers. However, due to family reasons, women are often tied to their domicile and sometimes men do these jobs. Marović says that employers do not plan their needs for the employees on time and they do not invest in their training and protection.
He points out that salary is not always the priority for a seasonal worker. Some of the determining factors are accommodation, working hours and the employer-employee relationship.
Salaries for unqualified seasonal workers range from 250 to 350 EUR. As for the qualified workers, it goes from 350 to 600 EUR.
Source: Cafe del Montenegro
