There is a shortage of skilled workers in Turkey - Frankfurter Allgemeine
Turkish companies are facing a shortage of skilled workers, and investors are worried about it.
Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine writes that there are not enough workers in Turkey, where about 85 million people live, and the average age of the population is 32.
"We industrialists are experiencing labor shortages everywhere, and this also applies to the service sector," says Alper Kanja, an entrepreneur from the TAYSAD auto suppliers association.
Kanjaning, which runs an industrial park near Istanbul, told the publication that in two cases, investors have turned away from investment due to labor shortages.
Labor shortages are said to be a new problem for an economy with 60 percent inflation. This can be seen in a six-month case study conducted by Istanbul Foreign Chamber of Commerce (AHK). According to him, 43% of German companies in Turkey are worried about finding enough workers. Compared to the situation around the world, only 37% of companies face this problem.
Local German companies are increasingly concerned
"German companies are increasingly concerned about finding qualified workers in Turkey," says Tilo Pal, a member of the board of AHK. Highly qualified professionals who know foreign languages are looking for well-paid jobs abroad , and local joint ventures are acting as a springboard for them to go abroad : "Working for German companies in Turkey is often considered as a stopover on a trip to Germany and Europe . " The situation significantly improves the prospects of obtaining a visa. Pal calls this trend worrisome. Investment depends on the availability of more skilled labor. "More than ever, the focus on broad academic and professional education will further increase Turkey's attractiveness and attract more investment to the country."
It is noted that the number of workers has been increasing over the years. In 2005, the statistics office counted only 18.2 million people, but this fall, this number reached 32 million . In turn, jobs in manufacturing increased from 4 million to 6.6 million , and the service sector doubled to 18 million. increased The employment rate is 53.6 percent, compared to 77.5 percent in Germany .
Immigrants are engaged in illegal activities and cause polarization of ordinary population
Official Ankara's information that 5 million refugees officially live in the country is the cause of some people's displeasure. They are usually engaged in the fields in which the local population is employed - agriculture, construction, waste collection, childcare - in most cases informally. Although four out of five support the idea of deporting Syrians, Afghans and other foreigners, too many families in the core areas could suddenly find themselves without nannies and domestic workers, said one Ankara resident.
It is noted that the issue of labor force should be alarming for the government, which is expanding production relying on foreign investors. Moreover, this problem is not limited to economic centers like Istanbul, Ankara or Izmir. The situation in Konya in central Anatolia is as tense as in Gaziantep on the border with Syria.
