The largest state-owned hotel company in Montenegro, the Hotel Group Budvanska Rivijera, has opened seasonal positions for nearly 600 workers.
Job openings include positions such as housekeeper, head waiter, beach and pool coordinator, toll booth worker, lift operator, warehouse assistant, chef specialist, receptionist, cashier, driver for food transport, baker, salesperson, hygiene supervisor, animator, and warehouseman, among others. These announcements mark the official start of the search for seasonal workers in Budva, which is one of the most in-demand jobs, as the tourism sector requires nearly 8,000 people for the upcoming summer season.
Unfortunately, according to local sources, the interest from workers in Montenegro has been low in recent years, as many workers leave for employment opportunities in neighboring Croatia. Hoteliers face significant challenges and bureaucratic hurdles when hiring foreign workers to fill seasonal positions, as last summer, workers from countries like Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Moldova and even India were employed in hotels.
Budvanska Rivijera has assured all seasonal workers that accommodation and three meals will be provided. The company announced that every year it requires 600 seasonal workers for various roles, including housekeepers, waiters, bartenders, cooks, bakers, pastry chefs, kitchen assistants, servers, and hygiene workers. They specifically need around 120 housekeepers, and 50 workers for each of the other positions, which have been in short supply on the labor market in Montenegro for years.
To address the labor shortage, Budvanska Rivijera has taken additional measures by seeking workers from distant markets. Last year, they employed around 60 workers from India, and this year, the number is expected to increase. They have already applied for work visas, and workers are expected to arrive by April.
The company also continues with its investment cycle, focusing on raising the category of the largest tourist resort on the coast, Slovenska Plaža. After completing renovations of the Maslina and Ruzmarin villas in 2022, the company will continue with further renovations, including four more villas, which will upgrade the standard of 334 accommodation units from three to four stars.
According to Aleksandar Laki Jovanović, president of the Budva Hospitality Association, Montenegro needs around 19,000 to 20,000 seasonal workers in the hospitality sector, with about 7,000 to 8,000 of those required in Budva. However, despite raised wages, the country still faces issues in attracting local workers as salaries remain lower compared to competitors. Additionally, Montenegro’s education system does not meet the demands of the labor market, forcing the country to import workers.
Nikola Pejović, president of the Hotel Association of Montenegro, also highlighted the issue of seasonal labor, noting that slow bureaucratic processes and outdated laws make it difficult to hire foreign workers. He mentioned that the country’s public sector and local administration offer more attractive working conditions, including shorter hours, holidays, and other benefits, which are causing workers to leave the hospitality industry.
Luka Vučković, owner of the Mozart cafe in Budva’s Old Town, confirmed that the labor shortage has been a long-standing issue. He emphasized that even high wages are not enough to solve the problem, as Montenegro lacks the trained workforce necessary for the tourism industry. He argued that the only solution is to provide year-round work and retain a workforce to handle the season with the help of seasonal workers.
Balša Mitrović, the executive director of Megapromet, a leading supermarket chain in Budva, confirmed that the labor shortage problem extends beyond the tourism industry to trade as well. He noted that the lack of workers, rising costs, and complex hiring procedures for foreign workers are burdening businesses. Mitrović also highlighted that obtaining work permits for foreign workers takes up to 25 days, and the process must be expedited to ensure that businesses can meet their staffing needs in time for the high season.
