Social partners call for a level playing field in the hospitality sector
Brussels, 29 November 2019: HOTREC, the European umbrella association of Hotels, Restaurants and Cafés, and its trade union counter-part EFFAT, the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions, renew today their Joint Statement on the Platform Economy and call for a level playing field and fair competition in the hospitality sector.
“HOTREC and EFFAT are concerned about the way the platform economy is growing. Not only are there increasing numbers of private hosts managing several accommodation properties simultaneously, but activities are also spreading within the so-called “meal-sharing”. Overall, customers need to be protected, employees must be treated fairly and entitled to their rights, and businesses should enjoy a fair and competitive environment”, mentioned Jean-Marc Banquet d’Orx, Chair of HOTREC SSD Committee.
“The social partners believe that the EU should take further action to limit the negative impact of the platform economy on businesses and employment, e.g.: by introducing legislation; by collecting more accurate data and by guaranteeing that existing legislation is fully respected by all providers of hospitality and tourism services via platforms. Only in this way the jobs of thousands of employees working in the sector are protected, trust is provided to consumers, while competitiveness is granted to the sector.” stated Kristjan Bragason, EFFAT General Secretary.
For further information: www.hotrec.eu and www.effat.org
Press Contact: Alessia Angiulli, HOTREC, +32 (0)2 504 78 45, [email protected]
Maddalena Colombi, EFFAT, +32 (0)2 218 77 30, [email protected]
What is HOTREC?
HOTREC represents the hotel, restaurant and café industry at European level. The sector counts in total around 2 million businesses, being 99,5% small and medium sized enterprises (91% are micro enterprises, i.e. employing less than 10 people). These businesses make up some 60% of value added. The industry provides some 11,9 million jobs in the EU alone. Together with the other tourism industries, the sector is the 3rd largest industry in Europe. HOTREC brings together 44 national associations representing the interest of this industry in 32 different European countries.
What is EFFAT?
EFFAT is the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions, also representing domestic workers. As a European Trade Union Federation representing 120 national trade unions from 35 European countries, EFFAT defends the interests of more than 25 million workers towards the European Institutions, European employers’ associations and transnational companies. EFFAT is a member of the ETUC and the European regional organisation of the IUF.