Food and drink industry looks to hire thousands, in post-pandemic staff shortage
A new survey from a jobseekers’ website suggests that 90% of businesses are hiring new staff this January. The sector in most need of fresh workers is the food and drink industry, where many restaurants are severely understaffed. Large food and drink conglomerates are looking to expand in the post-pandemic era, especially now that Taiwan’s borders are open to foreign visitors. Some businesses plan to hire hundreds of new employees in 2023.
This restaurant owner grills a piece of meat while explaining the ins and outs of the dish. The guests just sit back and relax. He brings the food and provides this personalized tableside service.
At mealtimes, orders come in thick and fast. The owner, and almost all the employees, each have several jobs to do at once. This service person is wiping the tables down and welcoming new guests inside.
As the pandemic calms down, there’s a massive upswing in eating out. Lots of businesses are planning to open new locations, inflating demand for staff. But there’s been a shortage ever since the pandemic receded. At the Kanpai Group, for example, they are looking for 400 people to join their ranks.
Liao Chia-yi
Kanpai Group spokesperson
This year, we will continue to expand. And in these circumstances, we hope to have more fresh blood come and join us.
Last year the Wowprime Group had a 10% staff shortage, and they plan to hire 500 new employees in 2023. The TTFB Group is banking on post-pandemic recovery, and they plan to hire a whopping 2,000 staff members this year. At the Mala Group, there are 600 jobs on offer.
Lin Ting-wei
Mala Group Marketing manager
We are optimistic about post-pandemic recovery. This year we have plans to expand in north, south and central Taiwan. In the first quarter, we expect to expand into 50 new locations.
Yang Tsung-pin
Jobseekers’ website spokesperson
The industry has been affected by the reopening of international borders, of course, as well as the 10-day Lunar New Year holidays coming up, and Peace Memorial Day national holiday. So looking at the first quarter, industries based on domestic demand will have more desire to hire staff, creating more growth in domestic industries than in export industries.
The survey suggests the sectors most in need of workers are food and drink, hospitality, leisure and tourism, as well as wholesale retail and trade, financial securities and accounting, transportation, logistics and the warehouse industry.
2023-01-09
