The Union of Hotel Trades and Industries (Umih) of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence greeted, Monday June 3 in Banon, Thierry Souêtre, its president who is about to leave. The opportunity to look back at the difficulties awaiting the catering sector at the dawn of the summer season.
At the Banon village hall (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence), the atmosphere swings like a pendulum. Left, complicit laughter exchanged between officials and members of the Union of Hotel Trades and Industries (Umih) of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, gathered Monday May 3 afternoon to greet the departure of Thierry Souêtre, its president since 1983. Right, serious, almost apologetic words when it comes to addressing the reality of the restaurant sector.
Among the problems mentioned are the costs attributed to restoration, among energy bills “for which we hope to return to normal, but we do not yet see the signs”, according to Bernard Marty, president of Umih 13, the increase in the price of raw materials or even the repayment of the loan guaranteed by the State (PGE).
At the top of the list, an obvious obstacle is also on everyone’s lips: the management of seasonal workers.
“With the charges, the price of the rent is very expensive for us”
“2024 presents itself as a continuation of 2023, begins Christophe Esteves, representative of restaurateurs within Umih 04. It’s still the same issues, particularly at the employee level. Today, with the charges, the price of rent is very expensive for us. Seasonal workers must still have a decent salary and housing.”
Similar sound of bell near the village resort of Montclar Les 2 Vallées. Bruno Savornin, a multi-hater in the world of hospitality, looked very early into the recruitment of his seasonal workers for the winter of 2023-2024 in order to avoid, he thought, the sweat of improvisation. It was ultimately the accommodation costs, alongside inclement weather, which complicated the situation.
“We are almost automatically obliged to house our young people,” he explains. Of the nine people who came to fill the ranks of the station this winter, seven needed shelter. In summer, we count on the work of four The four must be accommodated.
“Let them work alone”
Others deplore the desertion of young people in the rural world. Lydia Fenoy, unanimously elected during the session and who follows in the footsteps of Thierry Souêtre as president of Umih 04, is aware of this and focuses “particularly on training. The interns and work-study students are, for us , future collaborators to cherish.”
Bernard Marty, president of the Umih South Region, rather refers to the untimely controls within a territory which still knew how to benefit from the passage of the Olympic flame.
“Standards added to standards, that’s a lot,” he complains. Being constantly checked on new standards never stops. People know how to do their job. Let’s trust them and let them work in peace “, he concludes.
