Eduard Andric

Croatia has registered a significant increase in tourist numbers this year so far, but success comes at a price for seasonal workers on the country's coast, as cooks, waiters, salespeople and others often work more than 12-hour shifts, with no days off, without contracts, and are placed in inadequate accommodation by their employers.

After an excellent pre-season, Croatian tourism officials are expecting a profitable summer, but experts are concerned about whether the country is ready for an even greater influx of tourists because of a labour shortage.

According to the latest official data from the Croatian Employment Service, the demand for workers in the tourism sector is growing every year.

Despite a successful season, the Croatian tourism sector is short of at least  2,700 workers,  unions say, blaming the gap mainly on poor pay and working conditions.

Eduard Andric, president of the Croatian Tourism and services trade union, told BIRN that "poor working conditions are the key reason for the lack of workers in tourism.