Trade Unions Sound Alarm Over Illegal Staff Leasing in Hotel and Catering Sectors
"Alarm" from Unions Over Staff Leasing in Hotels, OUXEKA-SEK and SYXKA-PEO Argue That the Practice Violates Labor Legislation and Call On Competent Authorities to Proceed With Inspections.
Rising Numbers of Temporary Workers Trigger Concern
According to letters sent by trade unions OUXEKA-SEK and SYXKA-PEO to Minister of Labour and Social Insurance Mr. Marinos Mousiouttas, Director of the Department of Labour Relations Mr. Antis Apostolou, and Director of the Department of Labour Mr. Alexandros Alexandrou, a significant increase in the number of temporary employment workers has been observed in recent times within the recreational centers and hotel industry sectors.
Alleged Violations of Labor Law and Agreements
As the two unions contend, this phenomenon causes serious concern because, in their view, it violates the provisions of the Work Through Temporary Employment Agency Law of 2012, contributes to the breach of collective agreements and other labor legislation, and exacerbates problems that have already arisen from the implementation of the new framework for employing foreign workers from third countries.
Previous Warnings Unheeded as Practices Expand
At the same time, the unions reference a letter from the Director of the Department of Labour Relations, dated 17 June 2025, through which hotelier associations had been informed about the provisions of the relevant legislation and the obligations arising from it, noting, however, that the phenomenon not only persists but is also showing upward trends.
Demands for Immediate Inspections and Enforcement
Within this context, OUXEKA-SEK and SYXKA-PEO request that the competent services of the ministry proceed immediately with the necessary inspections and audits in these specific sectors of the labor market, in order to ensure the full implementation of the relevant legislation, the termination of illegal practices, and the protection of workers' rights.
