Dresden Christmas market traders are looking for staff

Five weeks before the opening of Dresden's Christmas markets, the search for staff is in full swing among traders. At a job fair in the World Trade Center Dresden, exhibitors presented themselves to potential employees at around 30 stands. In addition to sales staff, they are also looking for kitchen helpers, cleaners and support with transportation and logistics.

"I am confident that the traders will be successful in recruiting the necessary staff for our Dresden Christmas markets," said Dresden's Mayor of Economic Affairs Jan Pratzka (CDU) at the event. Many traders already have staff from previous years who are coming back, he said. "And the gaps are then virtually filled with this market."

Hiring more relaxed than in previous years

Frederic Günther, Managing Director of the Association of Erzgebirge Artisans and Toy Manufacturers, describes the recruitment process as more relaxed than in previous years. "This is probably also due to the somewhat more negative general economic situation," he said. Nevertheless, there are still up to 15 full-time positions available at the 50 members of the association at the Christmas markets in Dresden, and many are also looking for mini-jobs, according to Günther.

There are nine Christmas markets in Dresden. The visitor magnet is the famous Striezelmarkt, which takes place on the Altmarkt from November 26 to December 24. Around two million guests visited Germany's oldest Christmas market last year. Over 200 traders offered their wares.