A package of initiatives to alleviate the problem of labor shortages in the tourism sector and to ensure compliance with labor law in the wider area of tourism services, in terms of both working conditions and wages, was decided at a meeting today attended by Ministers of Labor and Social Affairs Kostis Hatzidakis, Minister of Tourism Vassilis Kikilias, members of the leadership of the two ministries, and representatives of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises.
The aim, in view of the summer season, is to cover the needs of businesses, the return to the labor market for the unemployed who are registered in the register of the Public Employment Service (DYPA), but also to ensure the quality of the tourist product and consequently the image of the country in the international market. The following was decided at the meeting:
1. The tourism companies will submit until May 31 the vacancies and related specialties in the platform of DYPA. Then the labor counselors of DYPA will nominate the unemployed who meet the relevant conditions in the companies, to fill the positions until June 15. SETE has already sent instructions to its members for submitting positions on the DYPA platform. The aim is to directly connect those looking for work in the tourism sector with the respective companies looking for staff.
2. Sector career days and other related tourism events will be planned. At the same time, the Service Unit for Medium and Large Enterprises (MEMME) of DYPA will provide direct staffing and pre-selection services to companies with 50 or more employees, through the nationwide network of 117 Employment Promotion Centers (KPA2) of the DYPA and in places of services of DYPA with the local tourist associations and companies.
3. As already announced by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, SEPE immediately starts targeted controls on tourist destinations. The controls do not only concern the hotels but also the catering and in general the branches that are included in the tourist services. The aim is to ensure compliance with legislation regarding health and safety at work, undeclared and undeclared work, pay and working time.
4. Regarding the issue of wages in particular, it is pointed out that the Collective Bargaining Agreement for hotel employees which is valid until the end of 2022, by decision of the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Kostis Hatzidakis has been declared mandatory for all employers and industry workers. The government encourages employees and employers in all sectors related to the provision of tourism services, to enter into respective Collective Bargaining Agreements and, based on the recommendation of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to the employer side, to increase the salaries of employees who do not are covered by the recent increase in the minimum wage or by current Collective Agreements, so as to meet the increased needs of the current situation without, of course, ignoring the competitiveness of companies.
The government expressed the intention to hold similar meetings with representatives of both the catering industry and employees of tourism companies.
The Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Kostis Hatzidakis, stated: “The expectations regarding the tourist traffic this summer create significant employment prospects for thousands of unemployed people who are registered in the DYPA, in positions that correspond to their qualifications, knowledge and skills. The government will move quickly and in a coordinated manner, in cooperation with the market players, in taking all the necessary measures in order for the unemployed to find jobs, for the companies to meet their needs, while keeping the Greek tourism product competitive. “At the same time, SETE will lead to positive results. At the same time, we are determined to proceed with the controls for the observance of the legislation through SEPE, not only in order to respect the rights of the employees but also in order to safeguard the image of Greek tourism”.
The Minister of Tourism Vassilis Kikilias underlined: “Meeting the needs of tourism companies in the workforce with respect for workers’ rights and compliance with legislation, is a priority in a year with very positive messages for Greek tourism, the result of hard preparation and targeted actions. “The majority of companies in the sector respect the law, employees and tourists. The plan to fill the vacancies in tourism companies, by unemployed people registered with the DYPA, will proceed immediately.”
The meeting under the two ministers was attended by: the general secretary of Labor Relations Anna Stratinaki, the general secretary of Tourism Policy and Development Olympia Anastassopoulou, the Governor of DYPA Spyros Protopsaltis, the head of the general directorate Retsos, the vice-presidents Grigoris Tassios, Eftychios Vasilakis, Lysandros Tsilidis, the Deputy General Secretary Giannis Paraschis, the General Director Maria Gatsou and the General Director of INSETE Elias Kikilias.
Source: Capital
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
