EFFAT, the European Federation of Trade Unions in the Food, Agriculture and Tourism Sector, together with HOTREC, the European Hotel, Restaurant and Cafe Association, highlighted the major issue of labour shortages and skilled workers in the hospitality sector in a joint statement, agreeing that they are the main challenges facing the sector today.
In their statement, the two organizations point out that the hospitality sector consists of almost 2 million businesses, 90% of which are very small (i.e. employ less than 10 people) and that it employs 10 million people.
“30% of workers in the sector are relatively unskilled, compared to 16% in the overall economy, which means it welcomes people with different profiles and backgrounds. In addition, 19% of workers are under the age of 25 compared to 8% in the overall economy. This means that the sector enables young people to develop their first work experience and also helps fight youth unemployment. It also promotes gender balance: while in the overall economy 46% of employed people are women, in this sector the figure rises to 53%,” the statement said.
The statement notes that, on average, the sector currently lacks between 10% and 20% of the labour force in the EU, compared to 2019 levels.
The specialties with the greatest shortages are waiters, kitchen staff, cleaning workers and receptionists.
Skills shortages are found in foreign languages, interpersonal skills and digital or green know-how.
EFFAT and HOTREC agree that in view of the digital and green transitions, upskilling and reskilling is key to creating quality jobs.
In fact, as stated:
– The digitalisation of the sector requires, and will continue to require, new digital skills.
– Pursuing the green transition in the sector is essential for environmental sustainability. But
It can also lead to the emergence of new business models, the need for additional skills or even some redundancies.
According to both bodies, it is vital to anticipate change, ensure workers’ access to training, reskilling and upskilling, and use the green and digital transitions as an opportunity to create quality jobs.
HOTREC and EFFAT agree on some of the solutions to address skills and labour shortages.
In particular, it is considered that social dialogue and collective bargaining can be used to find common solutions to address labour and skills shortages, through:
1. Negotiation of terms and conditions of employment that meet the expectations and interests of employers and employees and promote the image of the sector.
2. Promoting education and training in the sector.
3. Provide a protective framework for the mobility of migrant workers from third countries to address labour shortages.
The solutions proposed are:
- Social dialogue and collective bargaining on employment conditions that meet the expectations and interests of employers and employees and promote the image of the sector.
- Promoting education and training in the sector.
- Provide a protective framework for the movement of workers from third countries to address labour shortages.
