vida-Hebenstreit: Tourism records turn out to be a billion-dollar scandal at the expense of the general public
Trade union vida denounces subsidy abuse, wage and social dumping as well as systematic risk shifting.
Tourism
While the Chamber of Commerce and politics are celebrating new records for overnight stays and arrivals, the trade union vida is drawing attention to the negative records in tourism and gastronomy. "What is sold as a success is in truth a system with massive undesirable developments, moral imbalance and fiscal malversation," criticizes vida chairman Roman Hebenstreit. Behind the glittering façade of an alleged flagship industry , profits are privatized, but risks are completely passed on to the general public.
Billions in subsidies without anything in return: COFAG as a black box
The union is particularly harsh in its criticism of the unprecedented subsidy culture in tourism. Billions of taxpayers' money flowed into the sector via COFAG, which was partly classified as unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court – often without any social or employment policy consideration.
"It is a scandal in a class of its own that corporations collected high subsidies through clever site splitting, while at the same time distributing dividends and cutting staff," said Hebenstreit. As an example, he cites international chains that pay hardly any taxes, but still receive massive state support.
"While employees in tourism have to turn over every euro twice, the following apparently applies to corporations: privatize profits, socialize losses. This is not economic policy – this is organized redistribution from the bottom to the top."
Social and tax fraud: When sales disappear
The numerous cases of financial and social fraud in the industry are also alarming. From hoarded black money to manipulated cash register systems, a structural problem is emerging.
"Anyone who deletes sales and hoards black money not only steals from the state, but also undermines the financing of our welfare state."vida-Vorsitzender
If software manufacturers and companies together make sales disappear, it is no longer a matter of isolated cases, but of organized economic crime.
"Temporary parking" at the AMS: Employees pay the bill
Another structural problem is the systematic intermediate parking of employees at the AMS. One in four tourism companies already uses this model. The costs for the community of insured persons: up to 700 million euros per year.
"Employees lose thousands of euros in income in the long term and are forced into unstable employment biographies. The AMS is being degraded to an extended workbench of HR departments."vida-Vorsitzender
Inspections by the Labour Inspectorate also reveal a familiar pattern: violations of working time regulations, lack of protection of minors and disregard for employee protection. "This is not negligence, but a lack of appreciation for the people who keep this industry running."
vida calls for structural reforms instead of permanent state support
The trade union vida is calling for an end to the state's sparing of an incorrigible industry. Specifically, it demands:
- an experience rating in unemployment insurance for companies with high fluctuation,
- a consistent and effective fight against tax and social fraud,
- clear social and employment policy conditions for subsidies.
"Only those who take responsibility deserve public support," said Hebenstreit. "Only when fair wages, stable employment and legally compliant business are a matter of course can tourism be credibly described as the 'backbone of the economy'."
