Eight out of ten companies related to commerce have difficulties filling professional profiles. Last year, there were at least 16,000 unfilled vacancies in commerce, according to the report Talent Trends in Retail by Manpower and Anged, which was presented today at the general assembly of the large distribution employers’ association, which represents 22 companies. such as El Corte Inglés, Eroski, Ikea or MediaMarkt among others.
The association focused its annual event on talent and employment, highlighting that they generate 236,000 direct jobs throughout the national territory. “In the last year, our companies created three out of every 10 new jobs in commerce, adding more than 6,900 people to their workforce,” said the president of Anged, Matilde García Duarte.
But there is a transversal deficit, which affects large distribution in all types of profiles, from the most basic to the most technological. “There is a gap between training and the reality of the market,” as well as connecting with the “job aspirations of the new generations,” said García Duarte.
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Labor negotiations are of great concern to this sector, especially “a possible reduction in the working day behind the agreements already agreed upon,” said García Duarte in his speech. “It would mean a change in the rules of the game, with a high cost for the sectors,” he said.
“I want to be very clear on this matter: focusing the entire debate on productivity on the number of hours and days we work per week is a dangerous exercise in populism. Imposing a reduction in working hours by law may mean that many business owners have to cut their production because they cannot bear the cost of hiring more people,” said the president.
García Duarte also criticized the “alarming level of absenteeism” due to its economic and social cost. “It should be a priority point in the Government’s reform agenda,” he assured, denouncing that absenteeism “breaks up daily with the normal functioning of stores, warehouses and supply chains.” “It is a cry from the sector,” he said.
“It is the large companies and most productive sectors that, through collective bargaining, are taking steps towards a better balance between personal and work life. First, it is key to promote reforms that improve the productivity of companies. Flexibility in the working day will be a consequence of these advances in productivity,” he stated.
