New Greek Draft Law Foresees Creation of ‘Staff Rooms’ in Hotels

Photo source: HOTREC

The possibility for hotels to allocate or build rooms for their employees is one of the three provisions of an additional amendment to be included in a new draft bill by the Greek Ministry of Tourism. This law will be deliberated upon in the national Parliament on Thursday, July 11.

The other two provisions pertain to extensive road checks of drivers specifically employed in the tourist sector, as well as allowing hotels to rent or lease space in their facilities for educational purposes.

The draft law, titled “Enhancement of tourist infrastructure and education; modernization of the framework for the profession of tourist guides and timeshare leases; regulations for tourism bodies, and other provisions for the strengthening of tourism”, has been presented to all relevant parliament committees and is set to be voted upon. It aims to provide both short and long-term solutions to several structural challenges confronting the Greek tourism market.

With the expected adoption of the draft law by the parliamentary majority, hotels will be permitted to allocate rooms to their employees. These rooms can be built within the hotel’s main property or on nearby land lots, provided each room covers at least 14 square meters and includes a private bathroom. The draft law aims to protect the quality of life for employees by imposing significant fines for violations, starting at a minimum of 10,000 euros per case. This opportunity for hotels not only aims to enhance employee living conditions but also seeks to attract workers who may otherwise be deterred by the high cost of housing in Greece’s tourist destinations, particularly during peak seasons.