Cooking, serving, cleaning - these activities are particularly in demand in the high season. But far too few people want to take on the jobs. The industry is also suffering from the decisions of the past two years, says Dehoga President Schwarz.
Rostock (dpa/mv) - The hotels and restaurants in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are currently struggling with a significant shortage of workers. Every year there is a shortage of workers during the high season, but this summer it is worse because of the past corona measures, said the President of the German Hotel and Restaurant Association Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lars Schwarz, on Monday. "If you tell the employees that you are not systemically important and lock them away for seven months, there will of course be consequences." Many workers have migrated. The industry has long ceased to limit its search to skilled workers. "We're talking about helping hands and clever minds," said Schwarz.
The food-enjoyment-restaurants union (NGG) confirmed the situation. "It's missing everywhere," said union secretary Annett Rossa-Koslowski. There is a clear increase in workload. "Ten-hour shifts are not uncommon," said the trade unionist.
Hotels and restaurants in the Northeast are also hiring foreign workers, the long-term unemployed and people with disabilities, Schwarz said. A novelty, however, is that catering establishments from Spain in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are now asking whether Ukrainian refugees can be placed in the Mediterranean.
It is clear to the Dehoga President that vacationers should not suffer from the labor shortage. "We'll manage it and will give the guest the usual high quality," said Schwarz. Some hotels would rather leave some rooms vacant and forgo revenue than lower standards. Restaurants could adjust their opening hours and only offer hot food at peak times. One or two rest days per week are also possible.
Schwarz advised the guests to reserve tables in good time or to move to the less crowded inland areas. Some regions of the country are not fully booked because numerous vacationers booked at very short notice due to the corona uncertainties.
