The government is closing the Koidula and Luhamaa border crossing points at night starting February 24th. This makes life more difficult for many workers.
In the Värska area alone, more than 30 people commute from Petseri. Their work schedules do not match the new border crossing opening hours.
Nadezda Gavrilava works at the Värska sanatorium. She says the new schedule is very difficult. Workers in the kitchen have to arrive the night before to be at work in the morning. In the evening, they cannot go home. They work in the evening until seven and only go home at eight. They have to spend the night at the sanatorium.
The border is open only from seven in the morning until seven in the evening. The workday starts at six, and dinner ends at seven. Therefore, workers now have to spend the night at the sanatorium.
Kairi Ustav is a member of the board of the Värska sanatorium. She says the sanatorium has 120 employees and is the region's largest employer. There is a shortage of labor in the area.
Many workers come from Valga, Võru, Räpina, and Vastseliina. It is difficult to find kitchen workers even in Tartu. The situation is especially difficult in summer when there are many guests.
Other businesses in the area also suffer from labor shortages. For example, ten people work at the Värska Heart Home from across the border. The closure of the border forces them to change work schedules.
In total, about 50 people commute from Petseri to the area. In addition, workers also come from Võru and Põlva businesses.
Raul Kudre, the mayor of Setomaa, says that wages in the region are low. There is not enough labor. Workers are simply not available. The region is near the eastern border, and labor shortage is a major problem.
Everyone hopes that in three months, everything will return to the old track.