On the 24th, the general secretary of the Pancypriot Association of Leisure Center Owners (PASIKA), Mr. Fanos Leventis, spoke about the problems in the field of hospitality, regarding the lack of staff and the current needs in this sector.
What about Cypriots and how many are employed? What is the situation with foreigners in the field of hospitality?
How is tourism affected and what he says about the cheap staff in our country in the following 24H report:
“I have been in the field for decades and I justifiably have an opinion. Let's make it clear that the form of tourism we have today has nothing to do with the 80s. Back then there were less accommodation, hotels and leisure centres.
We are at a stage where we have grown the economy revolving around the hospitality sector.
It is inevitable and very normal that the needs are much higher than before.
Many Cypriots are employed in the hospitality sector, but they are few compared to the increased needs.
This phenomenon of lack of staff is also found in many other economic activities because the economy of the country has clearly changed, with many services we offer, with the result that due to the size of our country there is not a sufficient population that can be employed.< /p>
So many times I ask a question if our country wishes to have its income from tourism, from large numbers of visitors, or if the policy will be changed to attempt the income without decreasing and come from smaller numbers of visitors. But if our strategy will constantly be to try to reach greater numbers of visitors, then clearly the state must provide the possibilities without undue obstacles to businesses, so that they can be on time with the corresponding staff in the corresponding positions.
Today there is a decision from the state that allows companies to employ staff from third countries. It is an important step but we have not yet reached the ideal point where the processes are handled by the relevant department so that the staff arrive on time for the work they have been hired for.
At the level of personnel imported from third countries, it has to do both with auxiliary work that Cypriots do not respond to such positions, but also in specialized positions where there is a clear shortage, such as in the field of service and cooks.
Of course, in addition to these positions, the hotel units also have a lot of needs for more specialized specialties such as animaters, etc. I also think that if we do not deal with it today, very soon we will face a shortage of lifeguards.
Let's make something clear, that we cannot refer to cheap staff since there are serious and consequential businessmen. This does not mean the opposite, and bad staff or employers.
I should emphasize that today life in our country and living creates increased financial obligations for an employer, who has an obligation to provide housing that we know they have reach the rents, all the facilities that a roof should have and of course their food.
We understand that this is not cheap employment but it is a necessity so that businesses can run smoothly. Since we want to have high-level services, we must also employ the corresponding staff.
As for the foreign staff, in many cases they also learn the customs and manners of the country and may in some cases work our ambassadors abroad, but this cannot be absolute and it does not happen to everyone.
My constant appeal to all sides is regarding the state, which must stand by this such a very important sector of the economy, but also the businessmen, to respect to the maximum extent every visitor to our country as well as every employee.
The economic difficulty that exists today both in Great Britain and in the European countries, has brought all inclusive back again.
The price is paid by the leisure centers that do not “cut from the pie” what would normally be their share.
MX
