Greece’s tourism sector faces over 80,000 job vacancies

More than 80,000 jobs remain vacant in Greece’s tourism sector, with experienced workers increasingly moving abroad in search of higher wages and better working conditions, the Panhellenic Federation of Food and Tourism Workers (POEET) said Monday, according to Kathimerini.

At a press conference, the federation raised concerns over the enforcement of labour legislation, arguing that inadequate inspections allow some businesses to violate regulations and gain an unfair competitive advantage.

Workers’ representatives reported widespread violations at hotels during this year’s tourist season, including breaches of sectoral collective agreements, misuse of the digital work card system, failure to provide the mandatory 11-hour rest period, excessive working hours, undeclared employment and seven-day workweeks.

Unions report pressure on migrant workers

The federation also raised concerns about agencies recruiting workers from third countries, alleging that some agencies, in cooperation with employers, demanded that migrant employees return part of their wages, particularly overtime payments and bonuses.

Workers were also reportedly subjected to intimidation in the workplace, with union representatives pointing to insufficient oversight as a contributing factor.

POEET attributed the high number of vacancies not only to the expansion of the tourism industry but also to the departure of experienced staff seeking better opportunities in competing international markets.

Hundreds of chefs leave Crete for jobs abroad

A union in Heraklion, Crete, reported that around 500 chefs had left Greece to work abroad.

Popular destinations include the Seychelles, Monaco, Switzerland and Spain, where workers can find higher pay and more favourable working conditions.

The departures highlight the challenges facing Greece’s tourism industry as businesses struggle to fill positions while experienced employees seek improved wages, working conditions and greater protection of their labour rights.

Source: Kathimerini.