Poland, Hungary, Croatia and Slovakia are countries that have started to recruit in large numbers from Southeast Asia and have more attractive salaries than Romania, so it is becoming increasingly difficult to attract candidates to make recruitment campaigns work in Romania, in a context where we do not offer comparable salaries,” said Romulus Badea, vice president of the Association of Employers of Labor Importers from Romania.

Restaurant (illustrative image)Photo: ANP / Alamy / Alamy / Profimedia

According to the press release of the employers’ association, in order to meet European standards, Romanian employers not only have to offer better wages to foreign workers, but there is also a need for better compliance with contractual provisions, namely the provision of legal days off, ensuring timely payment of wages , payment of overtime and provision of adequate living conditions. In general, there is a need to guarantee good treatment of foreign workers compared to that provided in other European countries.

Before the official start of this year’s summer season, the Council of Labor Importers recommends that Romanian entrepreneurs hire experienced foreign labor only if the seasonality of their business allows. Especially foreign personnel from Southeast Asian countries who have extensive experience in maritime tourism.

“For employers who have a seasonal schedule, foreign workers are not suitable, but there are many who have a non-stop schedule or who have hotels in the mountains or constantly organize events in the off-season. For these enterprises, you can find employees with work experience. The most relevant countries are countries such as Sri Lanka, named by Lonely Planet in 2019 as the number one destination in the world for tourism. India also has as much coastline as it covers. Here are employees who have been working in this industry for a long time, and they are also suitable for our coast,” says Badya.

The most sought-after vacancies at sea this year are: “assistant cook, cook, room cleaner, dishwasher, waiter and beach bar waiters”.

“At the moment, if we were recruiting now, we would be recruiting for the 2025-2026 season,” added Romulus Badea.