Unattractive working conditions and low wages are seen as important factors contributing to the problem. It is very difficult to find employees for restaurants and taverns in Thessaloniki, business owners say.
It is typical that due to this situation, some catering establishments located in the city center are forced to remain closed on some days of the week. According to Mr. Kleoboulos Theotokis, Secretary General of the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Επαγγελματικού Επιμελητηρίου Θεσσαλονίκης), the first and main cause of the problem is skill mismatch between supply and demand as there is no specialization.
“Even the ability to cut meat (for gyros) is an art and requires experience,” Mr. Theotokis stressed, adding that education and training systems over time have not been linked to the needs of the labor market. While the transition to a digital and green economy is rapidly advancing.
Also important reasons aggravating the problem are considered unattractive working conditions and low wages in many industries, specialties, positions and enterprises.
In fact, the rise in living standards experienced in our country in recent decades has led to differentiation in socio-economic standards and mainly in terms of what people consider best in relation to their standard of living, financial and social status, and quality of life.
According to businessman Charalambos Triantafyllidis, the main problem for a tavern or restaurant owner is to find employees who can meet the employer’s requirements.
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