In a written parliamentary question on 3 June 2026, Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos, a Non-Attached MEP, challenged the European Commission over what he described as the systematic exploitation of workers in the tourism sector, contrasting it with generous subsidies for business groups and increased military spending. The MEP argued that the so-called 'miracle of tourism' is built on low wages, exhausting hours, and erosion of labour rights, citing a local collective agreement in Rhodes that forces workers to sign a declaration to work seven days a week.
The question contains two concrete asks. First, the MEP demands the Commission's position on the apparent contradiction between invoking 'budgetary restrictions' to deny support for the seasonally unemployed and restoring labour rights, while simultaneously promoting subsidies for tourism corporations and allocating billions for armaments under EU war preparations and NATO commitments. Second, he seeks the Commission's stance on the implementation of EU directives—2022/2041 on adequate minimum wages, 2019/1152 on transparent working conditions, 2019/1158 on work-life balance, and 2003/88/EC on working time—which he claims have been incorporated into Greek national law by successive governments, leading to weakened collective bargaining, expanded flexibility, and wage compression.
The question reflects a strong critique of EU labour market policies, accusing them of facilitating anti-labour legislation. The MEP's language is confrontational, framing the issue as a trade-off between corporate welfare and workers' rights, with military spending as a further drain on resources. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks; its response will signal whether it defends the existing directives as balanced or acknowledges potential negative impacts on vulnerable workers in seasonal sectors like tourism.
Tourism workers in the EU, particularly in seasonal destinations, face continued pressure on wages and working conditions if the Commission upholds current flexibility provisions. Tourism employers benefit from lower labour costs and flexible scheduling, but may face reputational risks if exploitation allegations gain traction. EU institutions are challenged to reconcile social objectives with competitiveness. National governments, especially Greece, are caught between implementing EU directives and addressing local labour grievances.