Labour relations in the Cyprus hotel sector are deteriorating, and the risk of industrial unrest is now visible, as hotel workers' unions from SEK and PEO have jointly accused hoteliers of not honouring the terms agreed in the most recent collective agreement.

In a joint letter addressed to the two hotelier associations, PASYXE and STEK, the unions claim that many hoteliers are failing to implement the terms of the collective agreement signed last December.

The letter was also sent to the Director of the Department of Labour Relations, Antis Apostolou.

The unions are urging the hotelier associations to inform their members of their obligations towards employees based on the provisions of the collective agreement.

The agreement includes the payment of a one-off salary increase, the implementation of the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), and all other associated benefits arising from the sectoral agreement.

The unions claim that during January’s payroll period, “only a portion of hoteliers honoured the agreement that had been reached.”

According to information obtained by Brief, PASYXE responded to the unions stating that instructions have been issued to all members to implement every provision included in the collective agreement.

The board of directors of STEK is expected to meet this coming Thursday to examine the unions’ letter and the related complaints.

A hotel industry representative told Brief that an employer—specifically a hotelier—cannot be forced to implement the collective agreement if their employees are not unionised.

Neophytos Ttimines, General Secretary of the PEO Hotel Workers’ Union, stated that the collective agreement does not apply only to unionised hotel workers, but to all employees in the hotel sector.

He also noted that the two hotelier associations should not provide “asylum” to members who do not comply with the agreement. Instead, they should protect those who are responsible employers and uphold what was agreed.

The unions further reminded that with the start of the new tourist season, hotel units resuming operations after full or partial suspension must ensure the return of all employees whose contracts were suspended during the winter season—before applying to hire third-country nationals.

“Avoiding unpleasant situations in the hotel industry, especially in a year projected to break new records in tourist arrivals and revenue, must be a shared goal for all sides,” the unions stressed.