The recent debate on foreign labour is causing concern across large parts of the business community. For many companies, the challenge is not that too many foreign workers are coming to Greenland. The challenge is that there are not enough workers.
The Hotel and Restaurant and Wholesale and Retail Trade Sector Committees under the Greenland Business Association (Sulisitsisut) therefore support the views recently expressed by Malik Berthelsen, Mayor of Qeqqata Municipality, in the debate on foreign labour. The discussion should be based on the actual situation in the labour market and the genuine needs of businesses.
Lisbeth Hansen, Chair of the Hotel and Restaurant Sector Committee, states:
"We fully recognise the situation described by Mayor Malik Berthelsen in his statement on foreign labour. Our experience also shows that the demand for employees in the hotel, restaurant, wholesale and retail sectors cannot be met solely by the workforce available locally. Furthermore, many businesses are already making significant efforts to attract and retain local employees, but they continue to find that the number of available workers is insufficient to meet their needs."
When businesses or public authorities apply to recruit workers from abroad, it is therefore generally not to replace local employees, but because they are unable to fill vacant positions with the workforce available locally.
It is therefore important that the political debate does not start from the assumption that foreign labour comes at the expense of local employees. For the business community, the issue is primarily about access to the workforce needed to keep businesses operating, serve customers and generate growth.
If businesses face further restrictions on their access to labour, the consequences could be felt throughout society. This could result in reduced economic activity, fewer investments, limited opening hours and poorer service. Ultimately, it risks weakening both the competitiveness of businesses and the overall value created in society.
At the same time, Greenland is facing significant development opportunities in areas such as tourism, construction, energy and infrastructure. These opportunities can only be realised if a sufficient workforce is available.
The Greenland Business Association therefore believes that the focus should be on strengthening the workforce and ensuring that businesses have access to the skills and competencies they need.
Increasing employment, strengthening the local workforce and ensuring access to international labour are not mutually exclusive objectives. They are essential conditions for Greenland to sustain economic growth, development and new investment.
The debate on foreign labour should therefore focus less on restrictions and more on solutions to the labour shortage that many businesses are already experiencing every single day.
