MURRAY Downs Golf and Country Club chief executive officer Greg Roberts says there is a significant shortage of hospitality workers as Victoria emerges out of damaging lockdowns.
“It is industry wide and very difficult to get anyone with any experience at all,” Mr Roberts said.
“This is not just an issue for river communities, but all of Victoria.”
The local hospitality business has lost more than 45 employees since the start of the pandemic, many of which still haven’t been replaced.
It’s concerns echoed by the Victorian Nationals, who claim a critical labour shortage in hospitality and accommodation will derail the recovery of Swan Hill’s pubs, cafes, hotels and motels unless incentives are used to entice workers.
The pandemic has ravaged Victoria’s hospitality and accommodation sectors, with lockdowns forcing tens of thousands of jobs to be axed while many other workers exited the industry in search of more certain work.
Mr Roberts said Murray Downs Golf and Country Club, which also operates Swan Hill Club and Spoons Riverside, has recently lost four full-time qualified supervisors to other industries, such as council and employment agencies where their jobs are more secure.
“This has been a significant issue,” he said.
“We have also lost over 45 staff in total, including casuals, since the beginning of pandemic and are still looking to replace many of those positions.”
The Nationals this week announced a push for a $1000 sign-on bonus to be offered to new employees hired in regional Victorian hospitality or accommodation businesses until June 2022.
Mr Roberts, however, held reservations about the proposed incentive.
“I think the incentive scheme would definitely help, but I would like to see it linked to a period of service,” he said.
“Not just $1000 on employment, and two weeks later, they are gone.”
State leader of The Nationals, Peter Walsh, said venues would miss out on having the best chance to quickly revive their business if they couldn’t get enough staff to meet demand.
“For workers in these sectors, it’s been an impossible two years of waking up every morning not knowing if you’ll have a job by the end of the day,” Mr Walsh said.
“After so much uncertainty, it’s no wonder our hard-hit hospitality and accommodation sectors are now feeling the pain of staff shortages as our communities move to reopen, recover and rebuild.
“Months of unviable patron limits, closures of domestic and international borders, and now staff shortages – worsened by a lack of international students and backpackers – leaves many venues and accommodation providers crying out for new, positive ideas to bring workers back.”
Mr Walsh, who also the Member for Murray Plains, said the State Government could help by offering an incentive of $500 after 10 days’ work within a 30-day period and a further $500 after another 30 days’ work in a 90-day period.
Mr Roberts said the regions would welcome with open arms a scheme similar to the one announced this week where people who eat out in the Melbourne CBD, and spend between $50 and $500, will be able to claim 30 per cent off their bills between Monday and Thursday.
“The 30 per cent off weekday campaign is directed at trying to get people back into the city,” Mr Roberts said.
“We would love to see a similar campaign in regional Victoria and would welcome the opportunity should it be presented.”
Mr Roberts said hospitality could be a fun industry to join, with no previous experience or qualifications as these could be completed on the job.
“It can lead to work skills that can be transferable to workplaces anywhere in the world,” he said.
“If dedicated and committed it can lead to management positions with excellent opportunities around the country.”
Mr Roberts said trading had been “okay” at the three venues, but it was a slow return.
“People have been nervous about going out due to the recent cases in Swan Hill and region,” he said.
“The introduction of the mandatory vaccination status and proof has also been difficult for many patrons (accessing the proof on their phones).
“We are hoping that as the cases in Swan Hill reduce, people will begin to get back out and visit the venues.”
