The gastronomy sector in North Macedonia is facing a lack of labor force, with the first few tourists from European Union countries having arrived in the country. It is particularly notable in the cities of Ohrid and Struga, expanding in the southwestern part of the country, lying on the shore of Lake Ohrid.

The hotels, restaurants and bars association states that there is “no business that does not suffer a lack of employees, such as chefs or waiters, without whom the sector cannot function”. Only in Struga and Ohrid there is a need for around 2,000 employees in the gastronomy sector.

These absences come due to the citizens’ migration outside of North Macedonia, mainly in tourist countries such as Croatia. Hotel managers complain that there are no professionals left, as they seek for better salaries that these units cannot afford. The lack of labor force has led to a decrease in the quality of these services, as hotels are forced to mostly work with underqualified staff.

A chef earns roughly 1,500 euros a month in North Macedonia and hotel owners claim this is a European salary that they cannot afford. Meanwhile, a waiter ears roughly 600 euros plus tips, with food and accommodation provided.

Hotel managers say that the lack of labor force is also due to the decreasing interest of youth in studying tourism related services. They state that the situation could improve if the state authorities intervene, either through insurance subsidies for employees or the easing of measures for the engagement of employees from abroad.

According to data, North Macedonian citizens rank fourth in terms of work permits for seasonal jobs in Croatia, with over 10,000 such permits for these citizens out of circa 124,000 work permits issued by the government.

Even North Macedonia is now seeking employees from abroad, mostly from Asian countries, due to lower salaries these citizens are paid. The Deputy Prime Minister for Economy, Fatmir Bytyçi says that the government aims to keep local labor force, but “importing of employees from abroad is inevitable” at this point.

During 2022, North Macedonia issued 5,300 work permits for foreigners, but it is estimated that the country needs at least 10,000 employees a year.