Cape Verde to Study Construction Labor Shortage Crisis
The Cape Verdean government is launching a comprehensive study to address a critical shortage of skilled labor in the construction sector, a crisis that officials say is causing significant project delays and compromising building quality across the archipelago.
A Quantitative and Qualitative Deficit
Minister of Infrastructure, Housing, and Territorial Planning Carlos Tavares announced the initiative during a sectoral council meeting in Praia. The study, conducted in partnership with the National Institute of Statistics, aims to pinpoint both the numerical shortage of workers and the specific skills gaps currently plaguing the industry.
“One of the main problems we encounter on the ground is the lack of labor,” Minister Tavares stated, citing recent inspections of delayed construction projects on the island of Santo Antão. He warned that the scarcity of workers is not just a matter of missed deadlines; it is driving up costs, stifling innovation, and undermining the overall competitiveness of Cape Verdean firms.
Bridging the Gap with Foreign Labor
To keep projects moving, many construction companies have turned to foreign workers. However, the Minister emphasized that both domestic and international laborers require standardized, high-quality training to ensure the safety and longevity of the nation’s infrastructure.
“These workers help meet the sector’s needs, but they clearly need proper training to help ensure the quality and safety of the works,” Tavares said, advocating for a national policy of specialized training that transcends the nationality or prior experience of the workforce.
Retaining Young Talent
The labor crisis is compounded by a broader demographic shift. A recent study by the National Institute of Statistics revealed that approximately 65% of young Cape Verdeans intended to emigrate in 2025, primarily seeking better wages and employment opportunities abroad.
Minister Tavares argued that the construction industry must become more attractive to the younger generation to stem this tide. He called for industry-wide reforms, including better working conditions and higher salaries. He also stressed the importance of rigorous oversight regarding labor conditions, specifically targeting the issue of late wage payments, which he identified as a major source of demotivation for local workers.
A Structural Overhaul
The proposed reforms extend beyond the workforce. The Minister outlined a vision for a modernized construction sector that includes improved inspection protocols, better resource mobilization, and more efficient logistics for transporting heavy machinery between islands.
The sectoral council, organized by the Coordination Unit of the National System of Qualifications, is currently reviewing and validating nine professional qualifications within the civil construction field. The effort brings together a broad coalition of stakeholders, including private construction firms, universities, professional associations, and international partners, to ensure the industry’s standards meet the country’s growing infrastructure demands.
Image: Pexels – Mahmut Yılmaz
