As Greece gears up for what promises to be a bustling tourism season, the industry faces a daunting challenge: a staggering 80,000 job vacancies in hotels and restaurants. While summer bookings indicate robust prospects for tourism in 2024, the Panhellenic Federation of Workers in Food Service and Tourism (POEET) raises serious concerns about the labor shortage.
“Vacancies in the sector, which employs over 400,000 workers, have been steadily rising in recent years, reaching an estimated 80,000 today,” warns POEET.
Efforts to address the shortage include initiatives like the Public Employment Service’s (DYPA) new “Jobmatch” platform and the recruitment of workers from third countries. However, resistance from sector workers looms large, with hints of potential strikes during the tourism season if immediate and substantial measures aren’t taken.
“In 2021, vacancies numbered 57,700, rising to 60,000 in 2022, exceeding 60,000 last year, and reaching an estimated 80,000 this year,” reveals industry data. Hotels account for 53,000 vacancies, while the food service sector faces 30,000.
Despite plans for 11,000 transfers of workers from third countries, the challenge persists in filling all vacancies and securing the necessary skills.
“The intensification of work in previous years, with fewer staff to cater to tourists, has left sector employees skeptical about returning under the same conditions,” explains POEET. Many are seeking alternative employment with similar or lower wages but better conditions.
Even reputable businesses, committed to labor standards and collective agreements, struggle to find workers, exacerbating the labor crunch. Reports suggest that some workers opt to work without insurance to maintain eligibility for seasonal unemployment benefits.
The evolving labor shortage poses a significant threat to Greece’s tourism industry, a vital pillar of the economy.
