The Romanian tourism industry is experiencing an acute labor shortage, with hotels operating at only 70% of their required staffing levels, amid outdated and unionized labor legislation.
However, less than half of the employees are truly qualified; the rest can be considered mere diploma holders. In recent years, professional training has been conducted by hundreds of incapable limited liability companies (SRLs) that simply issue diplomas on an assembly line for European funds, according to an analysis by the Tourism, Hotels, and Restaurants Sectoral Committee (CSTHR).
Dragos Raducan, president of CSTHR, stated that labor legislation primarily fails to support work, being outdated and heavily unionized. Labor legislation does not account for the specific nature of activities in the service sector or seasonal activities.
The CSTHR presidency is held by the Federation of Romanian Tourism Employers (FPTR).
Source: Capital
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current staffing level in Romanian hotels?
Hotels are currently operating at approximately 70% of their required personnel capacity, facing a 30% shortage.
Why is there a lack of qualified personnel in the industry?
Many employees hold diplomas from training centers that lack real capacity and focus on accessing EU funds rather than providing quality professional education.
What are the main legislative issues affecting the sector?
The labor legislation is considered outdated, heavily unionized, and fails to address the specific needs of seasonal and service-based work.