LABOR SHORTAGE

A THREAT TO THE HOLIDAYS

Swimming pools with closed doors, crowded airports due to a lack of ground staff and summer camps canceled at the last minute for lack of facilitators ?

"It's a dark scenario, tempers Thierry Grégoire, president of Umih-Seasonals, the main employers' union in the hotel and catering industry. But it is very likely that we will have another organization of work this summer. Restaurants may close in the evening, or one or two days a week, or reduce their opening hours.

As for hotels, they may offer housekeeping every other day. Everyone will adapt. The first troubles could start at the airport. Aéroports de Paris (ADP) is concerned about the lack of maintenance technicians and security guards. Endless queues at baggage checks and flight delays are to be feared. Once at the seaside, vacationers could also see the red flag raised at the water's edge. Three quarters of aquatic structures are struggling to recruit for the summer. The risk ?

Closed swimming pools, pools open a few hours a day only and a very low offer of swimming lessons. Homair, a specialist in outdoor accommodation, is struggling to find the 300 seasonal workers it lacks in all areas (reception, sports activities, maintenance, upkeep, etc.).

Finally, some parents who planned to send their offspring to summer camp could become disillusioned. Because the directors of centers are tearing their hair out to find facilitators – not always trained – to supervise the stays.

600,000 seasonal workers needed

So the professionals pull out all the stops to unearth rare gems. Each summer, an average of 600,000 seasonal workers must be recruited (including 300,000 in the hotel and catering industry alone). All these positions are far from being filled, even if no official figure is communicated. To attract candidates, the bosses offer salaries above the minimum wage and benefits (days off, uninterrupted hours, accommodation, meals, etc.).

Overheated, temp agencies are trying to find motivated staff, sometimes failing to be qualified. But students – an essential resource for summer jobs – are shying away from overly physical, restrictive contracts this year. Waiters, lifeguards, summer camp leaders, security guards...

The summer of 2022 promises to be complicated to manage for tourism professionals, who are struggling to recruit motivated staff.