The Tourism and Hospitality Association Council of the Chamber of Commercecalled onto create conditions and motivate the local population to work in tourism by the next summer season through an adapted legislative framework, as well as to simplify procedures for the seasonal employment of foreigners.
As noted at the Board meeting, the development oftourismis impossible without quality personnel, and the current supply on the labor market is inadequate.
Committee ChairmanRanko Jovovićreminds that the Chamber initiated, together with the authorities, the introduction of the category of “permanent seasonal worker” in order to motivate unemployed local residents to retrain and have permanent seasonal work and income throughout the year, in line with the positive experience of EU countries.
Minister of Economic Development and TourismGoran Đurovićassessed tourism’s contribution to Montenegro’s economy as extremely significant and presented the latest data on tourist visits.
Đurović noted that Europe is also facing a shortage of staff, and that one solution is to look for workers in India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and other distant countries. He agrees that a possible solution is the creation of a permanent institution for seasonal workers, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare.
The Interior Ministry representativeDragan Dašićsaid that more than 10,000 work permits have been issued so far across all activities, and only two percent relate to seasonal employment.
If this trend continues, he adds, around 40,000 work permits are expected to be issued by the end of the year, which is more than 10,000 more than in the previous year.
According to him, a contribution to streamlining the work permit issuance process could be strict adherence to the 15-day deadline, increasing the number of staff, and more efficient submission of applications/permits.
He announced the opening of a biometric station in Petrovac by May 15. He called on employers to take advantage of the possibility provided by the regulation that an application for a temporary residence and work permit may also be submitted by the employer at the intended place of residence of the foreigner.