Spanakis: 172,940 unemployment benefits for seasonal tourism workers in 2023

“For 2023 we have 172,940 [получателей] unemployment benefits in seasonal tourism, in 2022 – 167,000, and as for those who can receive 610 euros at a time, we have 52,563 seasonal tourism workers in the food industry who have received this benefit,”

– emphasized Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Security Vassilis Spanakis in response to a pressing question from PASOK KINAL MP Georgis Nikitiadis on this topic: “Unemployment benefits for seasonal hotel workers.”

Regarding unemployment benefits for seasonal hotel workers, he said: “The benefit is paid in a very specific way. If the employee has worked from 100 to 149 days, then he has the right to receive benefits for 3 months and 5 days, and if from 150 to 230 days, then he can choose whether he will receive benefits for 3 months and 5 days or as a regular unemployed person.

In 2023 alone we have 172,940 seasonal tourism unemployed, in 2022 – 167,000, and as for those who can receive 610 euros as a lump sum, 52,563 seasonal tourism workers received this benefit. Now the tourist season begins in March and ends in November. This did not happen either in 2019 or in previous years. This is happening today because we have a focused, coordinated policy from the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Finance.”

Duration of the tourist season

Speaking about the duration of the tourist season, Mr. Spanakis noted: “If you go to 100 shops in the old town of Rhodes and ask the professionals how things were in 2019, they will answer that our tourist season is lengthening and that we are currently experiencing an increase in the number of tourists. This is confirmed by data from the Greek Tourism Association enterprises (SETE), which show an increase in turnover, aircraft arrivals, number of people and months between 2019 and 2023. According to SETE data for Rhodes, in March 2023 the number of arrivals was 10,848, while in March 2019 – only 94! So, to answer your question, is our tourist season lengthening? This is confirmed by many facts: firstly, by air arrivals, and secondly, by turnover, and the increase in the number of arrivals, I would add, is many times greater than the increase in the number of seats for the corresponding period “.

“At the same time,” added the Deputy Minister, “we are trying to extend the tourist season with the help of other, alternative types of tourism, and especially in the periods from October to December and from January to March, in order to increase the tourist flow through targeted activities.”

Support for the unemployed

Speaking about support for the unemployed, the Deputy Minister of Labor emphasized: “At the Ministry of Labor, in the latest law, we provided that the unemployed can work occasionally, on a one-day contract, without losing their unemployment benefits. We specifically stipulated that the unemployed can work no more than 3 days a week and no more than 12 days a month. This was the request of the trade unions.”

Growing staff shortage

Regarding the ever-increasing personnel shortage, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Security Vassilis Spanakis emphasized that “The government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis brought the unemployment rate to 17% and has now brought it to 9.2%, and we have a strategic goal to bring it to 8%.” AND announced that SEF will host hospitality-only Career Days on March 30, 2024 to match supply with demand so hotels and tourism businesses can find employees. “The day before yesterday an online Career Day was held,” concluded Mr. Spanakis, “and more than 1,000 potential employees from abroad and more than 200 companies took part in this process.”

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