Switzerland, 28 Oct 2016: Speaking before members of the European Parliament on October 19, two hotel housekeepers who are union shop stewards called for action to put an end to the appalling working conditions in Europe's hospitality industry. Gladys Medina (CC.OO) and Carmen Casin (UGT) described to MEPs the permanent job insecurity, high rate of illness and injury and declining wages stemming from massive outsourcing, increased workloads and austerity-driven labour market deregulation.
The two addressed the parliament at the invitation of Spanish United Left MEP Paloma Lopez of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left group, who together with other MEPs adopted a written declaration on the working conditions of hotel cleaning staff in Europe calling on the European Commission to monitor and evaluate the situation of these workers across the EU, among other measures.
The Written Declaration Text is as follows:
Written Declaration submitted under Rule 136 of the Rules of Procedure on working conditions of hotel cleaning staff in the European Union
Tania González Peñas (GUE/NGL), Enrique Calvet Chambon (ALDE), Brando Benifei (S&D), Thomas Händel (GUE/NGL), Siôn Simon (S&D), Laura
1. Hotel cleaning staff are responsible for general cleaning and the tidiness of rooms. The hotel cleaning sector is largely outsourced, with positions filled almost exclusively by women. Compensation for such work can be low, even though it is physically demanding. Training, where available, is of poor quality and this, combined with few health and safety provisions, leads to a high number of accidents at work.
2. Articles 30 and 31 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, and Directive 89/391/EEC on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work (a ‘Framework Directive’) recognise the right to working conditions that respect workers’ health, safety and dignity.
3. The Commission is called upon to monitor and evaluate the situation of these workers within the EU and to carry out a study in order to make recommendations on better working conditions for hotel cleaning staff in the Member States.
4. The Commission is called upon to incentivise hotels to improve the working conditions of hotel workers by introducing an EU-wide rating scheme which will provide information about the level of working conditions alongside the quality of service and cleanliness.
5. This declaration, together with the names of the signatories, is forwarded to the Council and the Commission.
Source: IUF News