Madeira's construction sector needs about 10,000 more workers to run building sites at a normal pace. That is the estimate from the Union of Construction, Timber and Brick Workers of Madeira (SICOMA).
Diamantino Alturas, the union's president, said the shortage has lasted about six years. Immigration has kept the gap from growing even wider, he said.
| Figure | |
|---|---|
| Workers currently in construction | 15,000 to 16,000 |
| Additional workers needed | About 10,000 |
| Foreign workers in the sector | 6,000 to 7,000 |
| Jobs lost in new hospital construction halt | 1,300 |
Construction Sector Already Employs About 15,000 Workers
The region currently has around 15,000 workers in the construction sector, Alturas said. Madeira would need roughly 10,000 more for projects to move at a normal pace.
We currently have around 15,000 to 16,000 workers in construction. We would need about 10,000 more for projects to move at a normal pace.
Diamantino Alturas, President of SICOMA
Qualified Workers Leave for Salaries Near 3,000 Euros
Skilled workers often leave Madeira rather than stay for low pay, Alturas said. Many move to France, England or Canada, where net salaries reach about 3,000 euros a month.
When a qualified worker comes along, they leave. They go away. They don't want to stay here earning the national minimum wage.
Diamantino Alturas, President of SICOMA
They go to France, England or Canada, where their take-home pay is 3,000 euros. So why would they stay here doing this?
Diamantino Alturas, President of SICOMA
Salary scales need to change to keep professionals in the region, Alturas said. Until then, it will stay very difficult to keep good workers in Madeira, because the pay does not compensate.
Foreign Workers Fill 6,000 to 7,000 Construction Jobs
The sector currently relies on 6,000 to 7,000 foreign workers, most of them from Nepal, Bangladesh, SĂŁo TomĂ© and PrĂncipe, and Brazil, according to Alturas.
These workers clearly don't earn well here. But in their own countries they earned much worse. So they come, just like we do when we emigrate in search of a better life. They come here looking for a better life too, for better pay, so they can send some savings back to their own countries. But it isn't very easy.
Diamantino Alturas, President of SICOMA
Housing is a serious problem for these foreign workers. That is unlike Madeirans who go abroad to work, where accommodation and food are usually guaranteed by their employer.
Hospital Construction Halt Led to 1,300 Layoffs
Work on Madeira's new hospital stopped, leading to the dismissal of about 1,300 construction workers. That layoff was not enough to ease the sector's broader shortage, Alturas said.
Recruiting is hard across almost every trade, he added.
Qualified workers, foremen, drivers, bricklayers, carpenters, electricians, all of that is a great difficulty.
Diamantino Alturas, President of SICOMA
Companies do not invest enough in training their staff, Alturas said. Continuous training courses would help close the gap, but the sector does not attract young workers at the moment.
To fix the problem, Alturas said, companies need to pay better salaries and offer conditions that match what workers could earn abroad.
Source: madeira.rtp.pt
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