The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Territorial Planning of Cabo Verde, Carlos Tavares, stated that the lack of labor is one of the main problems in the construction sector, leading to delays at sites he visited on Santo Antão island.
These statements were made at the opening of the Sectoral Council for Certification of Professional Qualifications in Construction and Civil Works, held in Praia. Carlos Tavares emphasized that the labor shortage causes issues with the quality and deadlines of work, and insisted on the need to collect data to assess the sector's needs.
He announced that they plan to conduct this study jointly with the National Statistics Institute to accurately determine both the quantitative and qualitative labor shortage in construction. The Minister specified that the staff shortage forces companies to hire foreign workers who, like Cabo Verdean citizens, require proper training.
Carlos Tavares advocated for the implementation of a national policy of specialized training, asserting that the quality and safety of work should not depend on the nationality or previous experience of employees. In the minister's view, the personnel shortage negatively affects project timelines and costs, as well as the innovation and competitiveness of enterprises.
Furthermore, he proposed measures to increase the attractiveness of the construction industry to young people, including improving working conditions and increasing wages to help retain workers in Cabo Verde. The Minister also called for strengthening control over working conditions, particularly timely salary payments, as delays demotivate personnel.
For the minister, a sector reform is necessary, which must cover not only the workforce but also supervision, resource mobilization, work organization, and equipment transportation between islands. The Sectoral Council, organized by the Coordination Unit of the National Qualifications System, is responsible for analyzing, updating, and certifying nine professional qualifications in the field of construction.
The event gathered representatives from public and private institutions, construction companies, professional guilds and associations, schools, universities, social and international partners, consultants, and experts. On August 13, President José Maria Neves stated that Cabo Verde should develop based on innovation, productivity, and competitiveness, not low wages, calling for the acceleration of structural reforms to create opportunities for youth.
A report published by the National Statistics Institute at the end of July showed that about 65% of surveyed youth intend to emigrate in 2025, mainly in search of employment and higher pay.