Thousands of hotel employees on "burning coals" - Intense problem in Famagusta

The coronavirus pandemic has hit all sectors of economic activity. Many companies are one step ahead of the cliff because the calculations they made for this year did not work out.

However, it is undoubtedly the tourism industry that has suffered a huge blow. Despair has gripped thousands of hoteliers who do not expect to return to work until at least March. They have been unemployed since last November, so they will be out of work for sixteen months. They may receive unemployment benefits from November to March, however, many of them have stepped in this year.

While the law wants employees to go into unemployment due to job suspension (therefore the employer will have to pay a small price from social security), however many hoteliers have laid off employees. Therefore, these employees, who according to the unions reach 10 thousand, are currently receiving a special unemployment benefit of € 360. It is logical that until November, when they will be unemployed, they are sitting on burning coals as with mathematical calculations the expenses do not come out.

Speaking to "LiberalThe general secretary of the Federation of Hotel Employees OUXEKA - SEC Miltiadis Miltiadous stated that they can not know exactly how many hotel employees are working at the moment. "There is chaos because most of the work is on the weekends. Therefore, we do not know how many work in the hotel units. "Some work a few hours, others are full-time, so we can not make estimates", commented Mr. Miltiadous.

"Until October 31, no employer can dismiss staff and from November 1, work suspensions begin. Therefore, there is no excuse for dismissing an employee ", he pointed out, adding that they support their hopes for next year. "We are looking at 2021 now, as this year is a lost year," he noted.

In the same climate and the statements of the secretary general of SYXKA PEO Lefteris Georgiadis. "The year is lost and the employees are in a very difficult position. Despair is the feeling of the world right now as people thrive. They have no hope of working. Employees are very unlikely to return to hotels as most units are closed. "We do not expect that employment will increase in August," he added.

In addition, he stressed that about 10 thousand employees are paid € 360 and do not fall under the plans for the hotel industry. "The problem is more acute in Famagusta, as many hoteliers have laid off staff instead of including permanent staff," he said. "Something must be done for these people as it is logical that they cannot live on € 360," he concluded.