Unions await decision on hotel employee subsidy extension

Trade unions SYXKA-PEO and OYZEKA-SEK are awaiting a decision from the Ministry of Labor regarding the extension of the subsidy plan for hotel employees. The request follows reports that hotel reservations for May remain at low levels. During a meeting held on April 29, union representatives discussed booking statistics, cancellation rates, and tourism trends with Ministry officials. Ministry officials indicated that a final decision would be contingent upon reviewing April payment data, which was unavailable at the time of the meeting. This data is critical for determining how many workers, particularly those laid off in October, have returned to employment. Neophytos Timinis, General Secretary of SYXKA-PEO, expressed concern that workers who did not return by the end of April risk failing to accumulate the six months of work required to qualify for winter unemployment benefits. The unions are currently gathering further information to assess the status of returning staff.