The Sindicato da Hotelaria do Algarve took to the streets in Faro, to «publicly denounce the continuous labor and social degradation that is taking place in the Tourism sector» and to present measures «that it is urgent to take to respond to the problems that workers are experiencing», on Wednesday, the 14th
In the understanding of the union, these measures are «indispensable to attract and retain workers in the sector».
In addition to distributing a statement to the population that «denounces the work and social degradation in the sector and calls for solidarity with the struggle of the workers», the trade union delegation delivered a letter of claim to the Algarve Tourism Region, to the Algarve Regional Delegation of the Instituto of Employment and Vocational Training, the Association of Hotel and Similar Industries of the Algarve and the Commission for Coordination and Regional Development of the Algarve with the measures.
«The employers' blocking of collective bargaining in the sector and the rising cost of living are pushing workers into poverty and increasing social inequalities, while at the same time there is strong growth in economic activity across the tourism sector, with the most recent data translating results in the main indicators higher than 2019 and indicating that 2022 will be a year of new records», they denounce.
Although tourism «has registered strong growth in recent years, the purchasing power of workers continues to decline, working hours are increasingly unregulated and precariousness is spreading».
«This situation, which is increasing discontent and could lead to an increase in social conflict, is driving workers away from the sector and calling into question the quality of service provided to customers», summarizes the union.
The solution is to urgently reduce “inequality in the distribution of wealth and increase the purchasing power of workers through a general increase in wages and other remuneration components. On the other hand, it is necessary to improve working conditions and the reconciliation of professional activity with personal and family life, to guarantee the retention of workers and the consequent improvement in the quality of service».
Among the measures pointed out by the union is, from the outset, «the need for a general wage increase of 10%, with a minimum of 100 euros, the setting of the minimum base salary at 850 euros from 1 January 2023, the combating precarious employment, guaranteeing transport, paying 200% more for holidays».
«The regulation and reduction of working hours to 35 hours a week, the allocation of 25 working days of vacation without constraints, the guarantee of two days off in a row with one weekend per month in addition, the appreciation of work provided at weekends, in shifts and at shared times with an additional 25%, seniority appreciation through the payment of up to 5 seniority payments of €25 each, payable every 3 years, automatic career progression at every 3 years, the attribution of food in kind in quantity and quality, paid leave on the workers' birthday, guarantee of accommodation for national and foreign displaced workers, the supply, treatment and cleaning of uniforms for all workers», are other requirements.
The claim letter was also sent to the Association of Hotels and Tourist Enterprises of the Algarve, the Association of Hotels in Portugal, the Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Similar Products in Portugal, the Portuguese Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Tourism, the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, the Assembly of the Republic and the Presidency of the Republic.
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