Service comes with side order of exploitation

Unite survey aims to paint true picture of working conditions

As the public prepares to enjoy outdoor cafes, restaurants and pubs from tomorrow, trade union Unite today (Sunday) said that hospitality workers are preparing once again to face the poor working conditions and low pay which characterise the sector.

This week, the union launched a survey of hospitality and tourism workers which will run for the month of June.  The confidential survey asks workers to outline their working conditions before and during the pandemic, and what arrangements have been made for a safe return to work.  The survey can be accessed here and a Portuguese version is available here.

Unite’s Hospitality and Tourism Coordinator Julia Marciniak is herself a former hospitality worker and said:

“From precarious contracts to low pay and tip theft, the hospitality sector was marked by poor working conditions before lockdown, and workers are facing the same conditions as hospitality venues re-open.   In addition, many hospitality workers are concerned about inadequate Covid-safety precautions.

“As lockdown unwinds, too many hospitality workers remain locked out of decent work.

“Unite’s survey of hospitality and tourism workers will run throughout the month of June, and we believe that the survey finding will uncover the real working conditions facing workers in the sector. The survey is completely confidential, so workers can speak up without fear of reprisal from management.

“We are all looking forward to outdoor hospitality re-opening tomorrow, but hospitality workers would ask customers to remember that service often comes with a side order of exploitation – and to please remember to tip in cash”, Ms Marciniak concluded.

As the public prepares to enjoy outdoor cafes, restaurants and pubs from tomorrow, trade union Unite today (Sunday) said that hospitality workers are preparing once again to face the poor working conditions and low pay which characterise the sector.

This week, the union launched a survey of hospitality and tourism workers which will run for the month of June.  The confidential survey asks workers to outline their working conditions before and during the pandemic, and what arrangements have been made for a safe return to work.  The survey can be accessed here and a Portuguese version is available here.

Unite’s Hospitality and Tourism Coordinator Julia Marciniak is herself a former hospitality worker and said:

“From precarious contracts to low pay and tip theft, the hospitality sector was marked by poor working conditions before lockdown, and workers are facing the same conditions as hospitality venues re-open.   In addition, many hospitality workers are concerned about inadequate Covid-safety precautions.

“As lockdown unwinds, too many hospitality workers remain locked out of decent work.

“Unite’s survey of hospitality and tourism workers will run throughout the month of June, and we believe that the survey finding will uncover the real working conditions facing workers in the sector. The survey is completely confidential, so workers can speak up without fear of reprisal from management.

“We are all looking forward to outdoor hospitality re-opening tomorrow, but hospitality workers would ask customers to remember that service often comes with a side order of exploitation – and to please remember to tip in cash”, Ms Marciniak concluded.