increasing The budget of the social tourism program - Mandate for strict controls in the sector by SEPE, K. Hatzidakis

The increase of the budget of the social tourism program for 2022, from 30 to 35 million euros, was announced by the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Kostis Hatzidakis, during his speech today at the general assembly of the Panhellenic Federation of Hoteliers.

"I have asked the services of the ministry to increase the budget, so as to cover especially areas that have been affected by natural disasters and need special support. The program will be implemented in even better terms compared to last year ", stressed Mr. Hatzidakis.

Referring to the prospects of the tourist season, the minister stressed that the data have begun to show that things will go well. "In ERGANI in April a record of 20 years was recorded in terms of the balance of recruitment - departures and the difference is made by tourism and food. Tourism is the locomotive of the Greek economy, especially this year. "If there is a positive forecast for GDP development, this is largely due to the corresponding positive forecasts for tourism," he noted.

Mr. Hatzidakis made a detailed report on the developments in the sector in relation to employment, filling job vacancies, compliance with labor legislation and Collective Bargaining Agreements, emphasizing, among other things:

- The controls by the SEPE both in terms of wages and hours as well as in relation to the health and safety of employees will be strict. "We take into account the rights of the workers but also the image of the country internationally. I'm glad that your players are on the same wavelength. Obviously, we believe that the official representation and the vast majority in the field of tourism are in the right direction, but that is no reason not to be strict and not try to use this method, among other things, to improve the country's tourism product. The inspections have started, they will proceed and the direction we have given is: no discounts, absolute austerity ", said the minister.

- The sectoral employment contract signed by POX with the employees in the hotel sector has been declared mandatory and is being implemented. The will of the ministry is to make the contract in food mandatory. "I asked GSEVEE and the Federation of Workers to bring the required information on May 31, when the Supreme Labor Council meets. "There must be equality in treatment between the two sectors and between employees, especially when there is an increase in the minimum wage by 50 euros," the minister said.

- To fill the job vacancies in the tourism sector, he reminded the effort to link demand with job supply by those registered in the DYPA registers, inviting companies to submit vacancies by 31 May. "It is an opportunity to see what the reality is and what will be the response of those registered in the DYPA register", noted Mr. Hatzidakis.

- Finally, the Minister stated that the regulations concerning insurance contributions will be aligned - where they are not already aligned - with the corresponding regulations of the Ministry of Finance on taxes.