Surge in Easter employment, first time since crisis

FOR the first time since the start of the economic crisis, there will be an increase in the number of people taking up jobs for Easter, Maria Felip, Human Resources Director for employment agency Adecco said yesterday.

Felip said that 5 percent more workers in the Balearic Islands will be employed by Easter in comparison with the same festival in 2010. However, she cautioned, it has to be remembered that Easter in 2010 fell in March rather than at the end of April, so this year it coincides with the start of the tourist season.

Felip said that the categories of staff which are currently most sought after are waiters, chamber maids, receptionists, airport check-in staff, and drivers for vehicle hire firms.

But Easter has also meant that substitute staff are being contracted for the banking sector as regular staff normally take short breaks at this time of year.

Felip furthered that businesses, especially those in tourist resorts are increasing their staff - shop attendants and marketing personnel - in time for the mass influx of tourists. At Palma airport alone, nearly 919'000 visitors are due to arrive between 15th and 25th April. She said that the industry sector in the Balearics has also been given a boost by the onset of Easter.

Anticipated business has meant that companies are taking on warehouse and distribution staff and drivers for delivery vehicles.
Because the main tourist season follows so hard on the heels of Easter this year, some of the people who took jobs for the Easter period will be able to remain in them until September or October, above all hotel receptionists, check-in staff, shop attendants and promotions personnel.

Felip claimed that things had improved “a little” on the job front since the beginning of the year.

But she said that 50 people a day in the Balearics go to register with the Adecco job agency and that is not including those who sign up on line.
She said that as soon as the agency has a curriculum, it is sent to companies who are seeking the skills of the applicants.
Felip said that in 2006 prior to the crisis, the scenario was radically different: “There just weren't enough people with the right qualifications for the job. “Now there can be as much as 1'000 people chasing the same employment offer.” Felip explained that between 2007 and 2010, many job hunters had improved their CVs through training courses and companies were taking measures to make sure their staff were adequately prepared for their work.