Sydney, May 20, 2021: Due to stringent border closures in the country, many tourist towns up and down the Australian east coast are finding it difficult to source man power for local businesses.
The sun drenched state of Queensland has found a novel way to restart the booming tourism industry and to overcome this pandemic-induced labor shortage, whereby the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is offering US$1400 to anyone who moves there and starts working in the tourism sector. She pitched the program saying Queensland is one of the world’s most beautiful places and that the campaign will give people living in other parts of Australia more reasons to come work in “paradise”. A wide array of jobs, particularly in the hospitality sector, such as chefs, waiters and bartenders are all up for grabs.
As evidenced by the “help wanted” signs that have appeared across Australia, bars, shops and restaurants that have long been open after gradual easing of the corona virus restrictions, struggle to fill vacancies which are usually filled by foreign backpackers and tourists who flock Down Under at this time of the year.
Looking at the problem from a countrywide perspective, job vacancies are now up by almost 30% across Australia since the start of the pandemic and the economy will soon mature into full employment according to government statistics. And with borders likely to remain closed for at least another year, the problem could get worse till, with several mining companies in Western Australia warning production will have to be cut and profits will take a hit because human capital is scarce.
Virgin Australia Airline group has tried to counter the looming profitability crisis by announcing a new recruitment drive and the launch of an additional 700 flights every week.
Meanwhile, experts warn, Australia is not the only country who is likely to suffer from the pandemic induced slump in labor and resource supply. According to the Fed officials in the US, the Bottlenecks in the labor market as restrictions ease and economies transition back to normal will impact the largest economy in the world. While in Russia, as a result of a shortage of cheap migrant laborers, the construction industry has gad to turn to more expensive local workforce. And in Greece, olive farmers have had to turn to family members to pick the harvest.
Also from Down Under, Sharon Zollner, ANZ Chief economist said that the New Zealand economy was starting to show the strain as it tries to grow faster than physically possible amidst the labor and goods constraints.
Stay tuned to BaaghiTV for latest news and Updates!
