Tourism needs good work instead of a constant supply of people
Instead of recruiting more foreign seasonal workers, employers must be held accountable.
Season contingent
The increase of the seasonal quota in the tourism industry to 5,500 workers was already laid down in the government programme, as was the creation of an additional contingent of 2,500 seasonal workers from the Western Balkans. With today's decision in the Council of Ministers, it is clear that these measures will come into force from September 2025. The government emphasizes that this is only an acute measure. Unfortunately, politicians have been resorting to this short-sighted means for years – with devastating consequences: wage pressure, precarious conditions and permanent staff wear and tear characterize the industry. "Without a significant improvement in working conditions, the labour market in tourism will remain a bottomless pit that is being filled with a constant supply of cheap, easily blackmailed labour. Sustainable measures look different," criticizes Roman Hebenstreit, chairman of the trade union vida.
Potential for workers would be available
"The workers are already here, i.e. in Austria and in Europe. You just have to make sure that tourism, as an interesting profession that it is, also offers long-term prospects, financial livelihood and protection against attacks."
The irony lies above all in the fact that the gastronomy and hotel industry has access to a greater workforce potential than many other industries: In 2024, unemployment in the tourism industry averaged 12.7 percent per year. That is over 33,000 people in this country who are looking for employment in this sector. "The workers are already here, i.e. in Austria and in Europe. You just have to make sure that tourism, as an interesting profession that it is, also offers long-term prospects, financial livelihood and protection against attacks," said Hebenstreit. "Exploiting the plight of people from low-wage countries and recruiting them for seasonal work does not make the tourism industry any more attractive. It also mocks job seekers in Austria and throughout Europe who cannot find decent employment."
Tourism fund as a partial success
As also announced today after the Council of Ministers, the Federal Government is setting up a fund of 6.5 million euros per year for tourism workers. In doing so, it wants to strengthen the recruitment and retention of employees from Austria and Europe. Teaching and training in this area are to be promoted as well as special support in the event of accidents at work or unemployment. Measures against harassment in the workplace were also announced. Roman Hebenstreit considers this project a partial success. "We have been calling for a comprehensive package for existing employees for years. If the subsidies actually reach the employees, we welcome the fund as a first step towards retaining staff in the long term." Only 20 percent of tourism employees are permanent employees, the rest leave the industry after a short time.
"The right of the loudest" must not determine politics
In conclusion, the vida chairman once again emphasizes that the recruitment of workers from third countries in the gastronomy and hotel industry must not be a permanent answer to grievances in the industry. Especially while other industries are struggling with major staff shortages: "If tourism is preferred again despite high unemployment, even though other occupational groups are ahead of it on the shortage occupation list, something is going wrong." What is needed is finally a rule-based system for labour migration, instead of the "law of the fair".
