Greece tourism sector faces seasonal labor challenges

Seasonal employment in the Greek tourism and hospitality sectors is characterized by specific legal frameworks and varying quality of working conditions. Under current regulations, workers in seasonal hotels and eateries typically sign fixed-term contracts that align with the business's operating period. In the hotel sector, legislation and collective bargaining agreements mandate that employers rehire staff from the previous season, with failure to do so potentially entitling employees to compensation similar to indefinite contract terminations.

However, reports from workers in tourist regions like Halkidiki, Milos, and Heraklion highlight significant challenges. Employees have reported substandard living conditions, such as lack of hot water, and excessive working hours, including 16-hour shifts without rest days. There are also frequent complaints regarding the misuse of digital time cards, verbal abuse from employers, and instances where staff are required to work on scheduled days off without official recording.