Happy Hotel Staff

an extra €12.9 million a year

Benidorm currently has the country's happiest staff in its hotels. Why? Because they've all just got a pay rise, and even better, it's backdated to the 1st April. The workers' unions and the hoteliers spent 4 months thrashing out details to the pay increase which affects 35,000 staff over the entire province.

The average salary will increase by up to an average of €40 per month and will mean an extra €12.9 million a year bill for the hotels in the area. People accustomed to British salaries may be startled to hear what our hotel workers actually receive every month. For example, the head receptionist at a four or five star hotel will now get €1120 per month (about £800) and a maintenance man in a two star hotel will now get €819 (about £570!!!)

So if you see your hotel's barman skipping about whilst cleaning glasses you'll know why he's so happy! Oh, and don't forget to give him a tip.

5 July 2005 Stephen White.