This is the season when everyone on the islands is looking for staff for catering, kitchen and service, reception, cleaning services, support services, in general, for all positions. With the exception of popular positions mainly in Mykonos and Santorini, where there are a lot of tips and everyone is chasing them, in other tourist places, and especially in the second line, professionals find it difficult to find staff. In fact, employees are often among them. season make a fool out of them because a better position has opened up. This year, according to preliminary estimates from industry insiders, the shortage of staff will grow to 75,000 people.

Filling the gaps is very difficult, even though wages are now better than in the past and certainly well above the minimum wage. It is still difficult for hoteliers to fill vacancies, so they are looking for people from third countries outside the European Union. On 7 March, the Government Gazette (B΄ 1314) published a ministerial decision that for the first time officially includes tourism among the sectors that can employ third-country nationals. A decision is expected that will determine the conditions for launching the process, and hoteliers will be able to hire staff from countries such as Pakistan, Syria, Egypt, Afghanistan.

Obviously this solution will provide a solution. After all, the problem has been visible since last year, and this summer there will be even more. However, the final solution with a qualified and satisfied staff will only come if the wages are really good and accompanied by suitable living conditions for the people who leave their homes and move to the islands for the season. We have read complaints from workers who live in containers or three or four in small underground rooms, in conditions that are far from decent. OUR Hellas lives alone in recent years tourist miracle. The share of success belongs to tourism workers. We must not forget this.