Greek Hoteliers Seek Measures to Avert Employee Dismissals

Citing near to zero bookings, Greek hoteliers are calling on the government to introduce a new round of support measures in order to prevent employee dismissals. 

The Hellenic Hoteliers Federation (POX) sent a letter to the country’s finance, development, and labor ministers a week after they announced the further extension of the furlough program to June 30 and the Syn-ergasia job retention scheme to September 30.

POX President Grigoris Tasios said bookings were down in June and July, setting the pace of the upcoming season.

“Unfortunately, the hopes we had at the beginning of the year for a season that would approach 50 percent of 2019 seem to be disappearing with all that entails for the viability of our businesses and the preservation of jobs,” he said.

POX President Grigoris Tasios

POX is calling for a reduction in VAT on accommodation throughout 2021 with a possible extension into 2022, adding that it will “boost the competitiveness of companies in the difficult effort to re-start Greek tourism and will ultimately bring in more revenue to state coffers “.

He also called for the furlough scheme to be extended to October 31 for seasonal enterprises and to December 31 for all-year businesses in accommodation – all aimed at averting dismissals – as well as the extension go the Syn-ergasia job retention program through to December 31 for all enterprises with additional coverage of social insurance contributions.

Tasios is also requesting that accommodation enterprises be exempt from property taxes and be given more time to pay off loans, among others.