German television: Modern slaves of Greek tourism

The often poorly paid jobs in difficult conditions in Greek tourism are highlighted by the TV broadcast Europa Magazin on German public TV channel ARD.

"30 million tourists are expected in Greece this year," according to the introductory comment of the show.

"Certainly, some Aegean islands suffer from the refugee crisis, but the fear of terrorist attacks in the Middle East or the Maghreb are driving tourists to prefer Greece. The increasing tourist wave creates new jobs. There is also the other side of the coin, one less bright. "

To discover this other side, reporter Helen Trap traveled to Santorini, she asked workers and recorded what they said and what she saw. "For others it is a paradise, for others, the workers in tourism it's hell, the worst months of the year, 7 months without interruption, many times not even a day."

Trap met at a hotel reception with a girl from Athens, who is paid 1000 euros for 6 days a week work. "It's super," says the reporter, "but in the past years the girl was one of the modern slaves on the island, she earned less than 1000 euros, with unpaid overtime, while some workers were not even insured. There are many, but they are silent for fear of losing their jobs."

Helen Trap also met hoteliers employing high-standard staff, who pay well.