Preliminary research findings published in November by TASC confirms the concerns of union members about increased levels of exploitation in the hospitality sector.

SIPTU Services Division Organiser, Ethel Buckley, said: “The hospitality sector is a very important part of the Irish economy. In recent years, workers in this sector have had to confront decreasing real earnings, greater physical demands and diminishing career prospects.

She added: “A particular issue which is highlighted in the TASC research is the situation in accommodation departments in hotels across the country where female staff have to regularly turn very heavy mattresses.

This heavy work combined with a policy of ‘speed up’ being enforced by employers, which demands that workers increase the number of rooms cleaned per hour, is leading to a stark increase in occupational injuries, like back strains.

“Earlier this month the SIPTU Services Division launched the ‘Make My Workplace Safe’ initiative which is aimed at publicising such bad employer behaviour in the hospitality sector.

To read the TASC research highlights click here http://www.tasc.ie/download/pdf/wciphighlightshospitality.pdf