During the Corona lockdowns, many employees in the events industry looked for a new job. Bloodletting is also a problem for Messe Erfurt.
Erfurt (dpa/th) – There are currently several vacancies at Thuringia’s most important trade fair company. According to the Thuringian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Messe Erfurt is missing around ten percent of the staff actually planned, so six of the 57 positions are vacant. “Currently two positions in the finance area and in the event area as well as one position in the marketing and technology area are vacant,” said a ministry spokesman on request. The spokesman cited the corona pandemic as the reason for the cancellation of major events. This has led to the migration of staff to other sectors.
According to the ministry, the staff shortages are not at the expense of the current trade fair business and services. “The tasks are distributed in-house or external specialists are used,” said the spokesman. In addition, it looks as if two positions could be filled at short notice. The number of overtime hours worked by the trade fair employees is currently at the level of previous years.
The trade fair is basically an attractive employer, according to the spokesman. A new remuneration system makes it possible to fill vacancies promptly in most areas. Since 2020, the employees of Messe Erfurt have been paid according to their own remuneration system, which is based on the collective bargaining provisions of the public sector. However, employees who migrated during the pandemic are no longer so easy to win back. In the financial sector, the demand for qualified employees throughout Germany is very high. “The same applies to qualified technical specialists.”
Messe Erfurt, a state company, claims to be the second largest trade fair location in eastern Germany. Around 200 events with more than 7000 exhibitors take place there every year. Economics Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee (SPD) is Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the trade fair.
Other national companies are also struggling with personnel problems. This applies to the Thuringian Tourist Board (TTG), for example. Tiefensee said it was not easy to find new staff for this company. “This applies in particular to managerial positions.” One reason for this lies in the so-called betterment ban. As a result, highly qualified people in particular could earn more money outside of the TTG. Tiefensee is also Chairman of the TTG Supervisory Board.
