EU: hospitality sector social partners call for massive support from EU Institutions and Member States to save the sector and preserve employment

Upon the closure of European Hospitality Sector social dialogue committee meeting held in November, EFFAT, the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions, and HOTREC, the umbrella association of Hotels, Restaurants, Cafés & similar establishments in Europe, together issued a joint statement calling on European Institutions and Member States to support the beleaguered sector. In it the social partners emphasize the very heavy impact of the health crisis and lockdown arrangements on the economic viability of companies operating in this sector that has seen turnover levels fall by 63% between the Q2 2019 and Q2 2020. The partners are calling for short-term measures to preserve jobs while making the hospitality industry a top priority in national recovery plans.