Muğla construction sector faces critical skilled labor shortage

The construction sector in Muğla, Turkey, is facing a critical shortage of skilled manual laborers, creating a significant imbalance in the local labor market. While there is an abundance of applicants for office-based roles such as engineers, there is a severe lack of practical tradespeople like plasterers and tilers.

This shortage has driven wages for skilled workers to record levels. In some instances, master tradespeople can earn approximately 177,000 lira per month, far outstripping the salaries of entry-level engineers. This disparity is attributed to a mismatch between the education system, which focuses on white-collar roles, and the high demand for physical labor.

Furthermore, the workforce is aging, with the average age of workers in these heavy-duty roles exceeding 50. The lack of interest from younger generations, who often prefer service industry jobs, has left the industry reliant on an aging population. Industry representatives warn that without addressing the perception of manual labor and improving working conditions, construction projects may face significant delays and rising costs.