“The POEET Executive Committee unanimously decided to hold a 24-HOUR NATIONWIDE STRIKE in our sector, since the government and employers leave us no other choice.”
This is emphasized in a statement by the federation of food service and tourism workers, adding that “the hardship plaguing workers is unprecedented, as the raises provided for in the Sectoral Collective Agreements are wiped out by rising costs and inflation, and whatever remains of six months’ income is seized by the state through taxation”.
The statement continues:
“More specifically, then, WE ARE GOING ON STRIKE ON JUNE 24 because....
- For two years now, we have been waiting for a response from the Ministry of Labor regarding the duration of unemployment benefits for seasonal workers, which is the main reason for the mass exodus of workers from the sector.
- Seasonal workers filing their tax returns these days are receiving tax bills ranging from 400 to 700 euros, as the increase in the minimum wage also affects the Unemployment Fund, resulting in the tax-free threshold being exceeded.
- For the past three years, there has been no universal implementation of the digital work card in the sector, as any hotel or restaurant with a primary activity code unrelated to the sector (e.g., construction, agricultural, or earthworks company) is not required to use the digital work card.
- For decades, inhumane working conditions—including 7-day workweeks with 14-hour days—have now been codified into law and are legal under the law allowing 13-hour shifts with the same employer.
- The Sectoral Collective Bargaining Agreements recently signed as part of the “Social Agreement” are not being enforced, primarily due to the fault of employers, who, combined with the lack of oversight mechanisms, have transformed the sector into a repulsive labor model of past decades.
- Our islands and tourist destinations are filling up with fellow human beings from third countries—no one knows how many there are, where they are, where they live, or how they are paid.
We will detail the reasons for the strike mobilization in the coming days, when POEET delegations will visit workplaces and make regional visits to local unions to ensure the best possible organization of the strike.
One thing is certain:
“We, the workers in Tourism and Hospitality, will no longer tolerate further exploitation and mockery!”