To explore the working conditions of migrant workers and worker’s wellbeing specifically in the hotel industry in which to find out the individuals who work in hotel industry and what major difficulties do they encounter. Also, how Brexit had affect them?

Abstract

This study examines the working conditions and challenges faced by migrant workers, including exploitative working conditions, wage disparities, language barriers, and lack of legal protection. The impact of Brexit worsens these challenges, resulting in fewer job opportunities and reduced labor rights. The paper aims to propose solutions and recommendations to improve the well-being of migrant workers and reduce exploitation.


Key words: Migrant workers, Hotel Industry, Well-being, Exploitation, Brexit.


Discussion

To start with, the hospitality sector heavily relies on migrant workers to meet its labour demands. These individuals leave their home countries in search of better job opportunities and improved living conditions (International Labour Organization, 2023). However, the employment of migrant workers in the hospitality industry presents complex challenges that can impact their working conditions and overall well-being. Understanding these challenges is crucial for protecting their rights and fostering a fair work environment. This conference paper aims to review the literature, identify gaps, and discuss four major challenges faced by migrant workers in the hotel industry which is exploitative working conditions, wage and benefit disparities, language and cultural barriers, and lack of legal protection and social support.

Academic studies found that the hotel industry is one of the major employment sectors in the UK, with a significant reliance on migrant labour. Historically, hotels have struggled with local labour shortages, high turnover rates, and the reluctance of local workers to accept low-paying, physically demanding jobs. Due to its reputation as an ideal profession that is simple to enter and provides a fast way of income, the hotel business is frequently where migrant workers find their first job in the host country (Janta et al., 2011). However, the industry's difficult working conditions and lack of stability often hinder their long-term career development, leading to dissatisfaction and high turnover rates. Jobs in the hospitality industry are characterized by poor pay, uncertainty, difficult working conditions, and a lack of union support. The impact of Brexit has further compounded the challenges faced by migrant workers in the industry.

In the conference paper, it discussed that women are more likely to stay employed in low-paying, low-skill jobs, where they make up 54% of the immigrant workforce in the UK in which they are hence highly likely to be taken advantage of (Jasiewicz, 2017). Also, the paper explores four major challenges faced by migrant workers in the hotel industry. First, talk about exploitative working conditions, including underpayment, fraudulent pay checks, exploitative working conditions, and incidents of abuse and harassment, are prevalent in the sector. Second, wage disparities arise due to factors such as lower wage-enhancing characteristics of migrants, competition with native workers, and discrimination by employers. Third, language and cultural barriers impede effective communication, job performance, career progression, and integration into the workplace. Since employees learn how to do their duties, comprehend organisational norms, and receive feedback about their work performance through communication. Otherwise, poor communication can result in low staff feedback, absenteeism, employee burnout or stress, and more staff turnover. Fourth, migrant workers often lack legal protection and social support, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and making it challenging for them to assert their rights. Fear and dependency are increased by the prospect of being dismissed without warning or justification, which makes it challenging to report abusive or exploitative behaviour. Additionally, the impact of Brexit has resulted in reduced job options, uncertainty, and potential loss of labour rights for migrant workers in the hotel industry.

In order to improve the situation, there are several recommendations. Firstly, to strengthen labour laws and enforcement to ensure equal rights and protections for all workers, regardless of their immigration status. Second, to enhance the recruitment process by monitoring employment agencies, upholding moral principles, and promoting open and equitable hiring practices. Thirdly, to encourage social networks and integration for migrant workers through initiatives that facilitate collaboration between employers, community organizations, and migrant worker associations. Fourth, to support language learning and cultural integration by providing incentives and rewards for language acquisition and promoting social cohesion. Fifth, to clarify immigration policies and provide support and guidance for migrant workers in light of Brexit, ensuring easy, clear, and affordable procedures for regularizing their status. By implementing these recommendations, the challenges faced by migrant workers in the hotel industry can be addressed, leading to fairer working conditions, improved well-being, and enhanced job security for these workers.

To conclude, migrant workers in the hotel industry face significant challenges related to exploitative working conditions, wage disparities, language and cultural barriers, and lack of legal protection and social support. These issues necessitate comprehensive measures to address pay inequality, improve working conditions, and safeguard the rights of migrant workers. The impact of Brexit has further exacerbated these challenges. To address these issues, recommendations include strengthening labour laws and enforcement, enhancing the recruitment process, promoting social networks and integration, improving language skills, and providing support and guidance for migrant workers in the face of Brexit.


Reference

Ewa Jasiewicz. (2017) At Your Service? Migrant Women Workers in the UK Hospitality Sector. Available from https://novaramedia.com/2017/03/10/at-your-service-migrant-women-workers-in-the-uk-hospitality-sector/ [accessed May 21, 2023].

International Organization for Migration. (2023) How to strengthen the protection of migrant workers | OIM Oficina Regional para Centroamérica, Norteamérica y el Caribe. Available from https://rosanjose.iom.int/en/blogs/how-strengthen-protection-migrant-workers [accessed May 21, 2023].

Janta, H., Brown, L., Lugosi, P. and Ladkin, A. (2011) Migrant relationships and tourism employment. Annals of Tourism Research, 38 (4) 1322-1343.

The global economy relies heavily on the labor of migrant workers, who leave their homes and families behind in search of better opportunities. However, the working conditions experienced by these individuals often reveal a harsh reality, characterized by exploitation, vulnerability, and a lack of basic rights and protections. This commentary aims to shed light on the dire circumstances faced by migrant workers worldwide.Migrant labour in various forms is found in South Africa, the Middle East, western Europe, North America, and India.

Exploitation and Vulnerability will be one of the biggest issue of migrant workers as they are particularly susceptible to exploitation due to their precarious legal status and limited access to information and resources. Unscrupulous employers frequently take advantage of this vulnerability, subjecting workers to long hours, low wages, and hazardous conditions(Aasland Aadne,2016). Many migrants are forced into jobs that locals reject, such as agricultural work, construction, or domestic labor, where they encounter strenuous tasks, exposure to harmful substances, and physical risks without adequate safety measures.

Wage theft is the other pervasive issue among migrant workers, with employers exploiting their lack of legal protections and language barriers to underpay or withhold wages entirely. Additionally, many workers fall prey to debt bondage, wherein they are forced to pay exorbitant recruitment fees to secure employment abroad(Thomas Baum,2012). These debts become a perpetual cycle, trapping workers in exploitative conditions as they struggle to repay their debts, often working for meager wages that barely cover their living expenses.


Migrant workers are also facing social exclusion and discrimination,as they often face social exclusion and discrimination, both within the workplace and in the broader society. Language barriers and cultural differences create barriers to integration, leading to isolation and marginalization(Ann Ndiuini,2019). Discrimination based on nationality, ethnicity, or immigration status further perpetuates their vulnerability and hinders their ability to assert their rights or seek redress for injustices.


Reference

Aasland, A., Tyldum, Guri. ? Nordic Journal of Migration Research and Warsaw. (2016) Opportunities and risks among the migrant workers in the hotel industry in Oslo. Journal of Migration Research, 6 (2) 92-101.

Ann Ndiuini and Tom Bauma. (2019) Underemployment and lived experiences of migrant workers in the hotel industry: policy and industry implications. Employment of temporary migrants and non-nationals in the hospitality industry, 36-58.

Thomas Baum. (2012) Migrant Workers in the International Hotel Industry. International Migration Paper, (112) 49.