Tourism boom without employees: Why Austria's flagship is running out of employees
Human trafficking, illegal work, assaults, sexual harassment and low wages: trade union vida is calling for a radical change of course in the hotel and catering industry.
Press conference
Record overnight stays, rising prices and growth despite a difficult economic situation: The Austrian hotel and catering industry presents itself to the outside world as a successful industry. At the same time, reports of human trafficking, illegal work, assaults, sexual harassment, wage dumping and precarious working conditions are increasing.
In response, numerous employees change employers or leave the industry.
Press conference
Date: May 20, 2026, from 9:30 a.m.
Supplier Location: ÖGB House "Catamaran", Johann-Böhm-Platz 1, 1020 Vienna
Speakers:
- Roman Hebenstreit, Chairman of the vida trade union
- Eva Eberhart, Chairwoman of the vida Tourism Department, Chief Negotiator of the KV
At a press conference, the trade union vida takes stock of the current cases in the hotel and catering industry and shows why the labor shortage is homemade.
Among other things, the faltering collective agreement negotiations, the questionable role of the red-white-red card, seasonal, interim dismissals and other structural problems in the industry are discussed.
Registration at presse@vida.at is requested!
