Entrepreneurs and policy makers in the sector tell us that tourism generates wealth and jobs, but what is tourism work? What kind of work does tourism generate? And who wins with that?
The entity San Sebastian Turismo says that over 15,000 people work in the sector in San Sebastian, but what are we talking about specifically the sector? Heidi Keyer and Obady and Marci are the authors who classify tourism work in three categories. The first is that of jobs directly related to the tourist, both in hotels and restaurants, among others. The second is work in indirect contact with the tourist, as suppliers and transport. And finally, the third is assistance; institutions, emergencies, road cleaning… Therefore, it must be borne in mind that tourism work covers many forms of work.
We often hear that tourism creates jobs. But working conditions are not deepened. The Gipuzkoa Hospitality Agreement was signed in 2023, ten years later. The agreement was an improvement for the precarious sector, which included a 12% increase in wages and a more detailed control of working hours. The negotiation of the last two hotel conventions has started when workers have expressed their intention to strike, among the improvements that have been introduced are the consideration of the health of the apartment servers responsible for cleaning the hotel rooms and prevention of occupational risk or compensation of 100% of the benefit to the workers who were in the ERTE during the pandemic. On the other hand, we cannot forget the facts that in January 2023 exposed illegal contracts, miserable living and working conditions and exploitative situations in two establishments of the city.
It shares the wealth generated by tourism very badly in society. And in the most precarious tourism jobs work mostly migrant, racialized, women and youth workers.
It shares the wealth generated by tourism very badly in society. And in the most precarious tourism jobs work mostly migrant, racialized, women and young people. In the cleaning of hotels and tourist apartments, it is common for migrant and racialized women to work. Work in bars and restaurants is usually carried out by migrated people who have become “invisible”. Young people often work in these jobs for a time that allows them to get more dignified work. In the macro-sporting and cultural events organized to attract tourism to the city, temporary workers are also young.
The investors who are enriched with the Donostia tourist destination seek to reduce costs and increase profits by precarious and exploiting the working conditions of the workers: jobs that do not reach the minimum wage (SMI/SMI), physical and repetitive jobs, workers transiting through ETT… In fact, in recent years the “collaborative” economy has been included in the game as a new and modern model of exploitation. Exploitation and speculation are disguised as direct relations between citizens through colorful marketing. Home food distribution (Glovo), holiday rental homes (Airbnb), platforms that allow you to sleep in them “free” in exchange for working in hostels…
In Donostia-San Sebastián, in the direction of tourist decline and to avoid monoculture, it is a priority to create jobs not linked to tourism. On the one hand, to guarantee workers' rights and to improve working conditions. On the other hand, the economic model of the city is not part of a sector that generates great damage, unstable and so dependent on weather, energy and international policies. The Donostia-San Sebastian economy needs to be diversified in order to establish a more balanced model. To this end, the most appropriate way is to design and develop a planned transformation process, in which a series of training, grants and other measures are implemented to channel the staff currently working in tourism to other sectors, a complete transition.
While Donostia-San Sebastián is affected by the tourist industry, we are at risk as workers. In order to combat precariousness and discrimination, and to promote the transition to a more balanced economic model in the direction of tourist decline, it is more necessary than ever to organise workers and citizens. We don't accept to enrich ourselves by selling our city and our lives.
Eihar Egaña
Member of the Donostiarras Platform for Tourism Growth with Neighbors
Bidali zure iritzi artikuluak iritzia@argia.eus helbide elektronikora
ARGIAk ez du zertan bat etorri artikuluen edukiarekin. Idatzien gehienezko luzera 4.500 karakterekoa da (espazioak barne). Idazkera aldetik gutxieneko zuzentasun bat beharrezkoa da: batetik, ARGIAk ezin du hartu zuzenketa sakona egiteko lanik; bestetik, egitekotan edukia nahi gabe aldatzeko arriskua dago. ARGIAk azaleko zuzenketak edo moldaketak egingo dizkie artikuluei, behar izanez gero.
The main feature of my basketball team is its personality. It is usually said that this is a common characteristic between the team and the hobby. However, this identity of all amateurs is not taken into account from the management. In fact, Euskaldunes fans see again and again... [+]
Ms. Judge of the Bayona Court of Justice dismisses:
In March, I was judged by some Euskaltzales in Baiona for taking part in some of the actions we have taken to denounce the unfair treatment suffered by the Basque authorities in the French state. At the beginning of the trial,... [+]
It is not easy to understand what is happening in Catalonia. Certainly. We can end the 2017 process, but it remains to be seen whether independence will be able to start a new process of liberation.
If independence had been maintained in most elections, there would be another... [+]
We have been with the "summer snake" over the TAV for a few weeks and with the possibility of linking the "Basque Y" from Pamplona, from Ezkio or Vitoria.
It is disappointing to see that our People continue to depend on decisions concerned and not supported by the galgos and... [+]
The globalists have chosen France, Poland and the United Kingdom to create an open conflict with NATO in November, as the United States is engaged in the election campaign for the November Presidency.
Thus, the presence of soldiers from Poland, France, the United Kingdom and... [+]
Fortunately, most industrial companies start to understand, after the many convictions, that a small exposure to asbestos fibres, without adequate respiratory protection, is sufficient to cause a serious lung disease that causes ten times more deaths than accidents at work, even... [+]
On August 1, a dozen people from the family were in Aranguren. Two young people from Aranzadi made firsthand the excavations and works being carried out in Irulegi. This visit is highly recommended, as it reflects the dimension of the work they are doing.
Halfway, at the first... [+]
First of all, we wish to extend our condolences to the family and friends of the woman killed in early August.
The people of Gaintxurizketa are fed up with the disillusionment of the administration and those responsible.
Those of us who live in the neighborhood are forced to... [+]
I've heard it said that the best tears are the ones that airports see. But I guess it was other tears he said, and not as I've seen during this vacation.
For several hours, tears dominated Munich airport, tears of indignation, tears of fatigue and also tears of helplessness. The... [+]
We Basques know that the State apparatus is prepared to take advantage of repressive forces of all colours and repressive mechanisms in all forms, in order to maintain social order within a system based on domination, even if to do so they have to infringe a law created to their... [+]
It happens many times to me: look at the news and get nervous. The France revient, they say. Both the France of Le Pen and the Spanish xenophobia and supremacy, as well as the inflatable clowns, rise again and again. Merde revient. As we have heard, a group of workers from... [+]
Until recently, the European Union (EU) was a calm sea. Everything was going well. We all lived quiet. The high-ranking officials were doing their job very well and the Europeans were happy under their orders. From time to time the peasants were going to the street to show their... [+]
Before the elections, it was a motto on everyone’s lips: "We have to put care in the center," he added. Apart from the curious and incorrect statements made by politicians and politicians, I must admit that for a while the subject was at its peak. Both parties and various... [+]
I have not followed the international competition for many years (Olympic Games, World Games…). Indifference, tiredness, pain… and I also get a little rage. And so the alternative I have left is not to see it.
The reason is not that you do not like sport or that you do not... [+]