The Algarve’s hotel and restaurant workers’ union are to push for the restoration of purchasing power for its members as wages were frozen between 2011 and 2017 and need to catch up.
In a union statement addressed to the Algarve hoteliers’ association, the proposal is to revise the Collective Labour Agreement which should come into effect for 2019.
Regarding salary scales, the proposal is for a salary increase of 8%, with a minimum increase €70, with the guarantee that the minimum monthly wage is not less than €650.
With this proposal the Union, "intends to restore part of the purchasing power lost by workers over the years during which wages were frozen, namely between 2011 and 2017, a period in which the profits of companies registered an increase of more than 70% and productivity increased by 1.2%."
The proposed package includes food allowance, bonus payments for foreign language skills, a 35-hour week, two consecutive days-off a week, 25 days holiday a year and overtime paid for those working on public holidays.
The trade union reps say that the first negotiation meeting is scheduled for December 14th, but, "the bosses have already have replied that they do not accept any of the proposals presented."