The Union Life Insurance criticizes the high part-time employment rate in Austrian tourism and hospitality. She sees this development as a structural obstacle for employees who would like to work full-time.
The union accuses employers of pushing employees into part-time work after the end of the peak season. According to Statistics Austria, the part-time rate in tourism was 2023 percent in 39,2, significantly higher than the overall average of 31,6 percent. It is also striking that men in the tourism sector work part-time, at 24,8 percent.
The union is calling for consistent enforcement of existing regulations and improved childcare facilities as a basis for better work-life balance. Furthermore, employers should better implement the statutory right to additional hours.
Representatives of the hotel and catering industry, however, emphasize that the seasonal nature of the business requires a high degree of flexibility in order to run operations and avoid mass layoffs.