The opinion that there is a good climate and that there will soon be a positive conclusion for an agreement on the contract in the hotel sector is shared by all sides. Hoteliers and hotel employees participated on Thursday in a joint meeting in the presence of the mediation service of the Ministry of Labor and Social Insurance.
Neofytos Timinis, CEO of SYXKA PEO, told KYPE that the process continues under under the auspices of the Department of Labor Relations, while stating that the next 24 hours are critical. “We have resolutions from our bodies that say these days are the last chance for the Department of Labor Relations to either submit a mediation proposal or proceed to an impasse,” he said.
He noted that the priority for workers is to ensure that the agreement that is reached is implemented by all hoteliers and for all workers, stating that they await suggestions from employers on how to achieve this.
“It has been observed in recent years that what is agreed upon the next day is violated by a large number of hoteliers. Unfortunately, there are few who end up applying it,” he said.
He added that the goal is to improve the conditions of the workers. “If this is implemented by all hoteliers for all employees it will be attractive, so as to attract the people who used to enter the hotel industry” and keep the wave of flight of existing employees, due to the unfavorable conditions.
In addition, he stated that due to the increased admission of workers from third countries recently, the level of services provided is falling, as the staff is unskilled. “We must find ways to have their corresponding training”, he added.
For his part, the General Manager of OUXEKA SEC, Michalis Fragos, told KYPE that the negotiations are continuing. “There is positivity from all sides and we hope that everything will be fine from next week,” he said.
He noted that from today until next week there will be meetings and consultations.
Regarding the demands of the workers, he said they include wage increases, an increase in holiday compensation, an increase in the Provident Fund rate.
The President of PASYXE, Thanos Michaelidis, said that “there is a good atmosphere, understanding and will” but there is nothing to announce at the moment. He noted that he believes that there will be a conclusion soon enough.
The President of STEK, Akis Vavlitis, told KYPE that an effort was made by the Ministry of Labor and all sides were at the negotiating table. “A very positive atmosphere prevailed from both sides,”, he said. “I want to believe that we are close to an agreement for the benefit of both sides,”, he noted.
Mr. Vavlitis emphasized that it should not be heard, especially abroad, that there is a dispute between employers and unionized workers in the industry. “It will be the worst, taking into account the events in our region,”, he added. He estimated that before the end of August there will be a conclusion.
