The president of the Guild of Catering and Tourism Workers HOK resigned after a "clumsy" statement

As part of the 35th Congress of caterers and tourist workers, which took place last week in Tuhelje, Franz Letica, president of the Guild of caterers and tourist workers of the Croatian Chamber of Crafts, referring to the issue of labor shortage in Croatia, said: 

"All of us are not comfortable to see strangers on the street, that is a fact. It is difficult to talk about it in public, but let's face these facts, that it is not comfortable to see people who are wrapped, of other cultures", said Franz Letica, president of the Guild of Catering and Tourism Workers of the Croatian Chamber of Crafts as part of the 35th Congress of Catering and Tourism Workers, which took place last week in Tuhelje.

The discriminatory or clumsily uttered statement, as stated today by the president of catering and tourism workers of HOK, caused a wave of negative reactions, after which today the Croatian Chamber of Crafts (HOK) sent a statement that Franz Letica resigned to the position of President of the Guild of Catering and Tourism Workers of the Croatian Chamber of Crafts.

"We hereby inform you that Franz Letica resigned from the position of President of the Guild of Catering and Tourism Workers of the Croatian Chamber of Crafts due to the clumsy statement about foreign workers that he made this week at the 35th Congress of Catering and Tourism Workers. We thank Mr. Letica for his dedicated engagement in representing interests restaurateurs and tourist workers. Once again, we would like to point out that the normal functioning of Croatian crafts largely depends on the foreign workforce, and that all individuals who can contribute to the development of the Croatian economy are welcome in Croatia, and it is up to all of us to create a system that will enable each individual to integrate more quickly into society and the business system We emphasize that the Croatian Chamber of Crafts opposes any discrimination based on gender, sex, ethnic origin and religious affiliation." they announced from HOK.

Franz Letica: I am aware that such a clumsily uttered statement is inexcusable

"As a person raised in a spirit of respect for diversity, taught to appreciate all cultures of this world and to raise my children to do the same, I am deeply shaken by the recent incident. Without a doubt, my recent comment did not reflect my personal views or the views of the Guild whom I had the honor to represent. This was not the intention, nor should it be an excuse. I am aware that such a clumsily delivered statement is inexcusable, especially in light of the importance of respecting all people, regardless of background, culture or beliefs. Incidents like this must not be minimized or neglected matter. They have the potential to cause damage not only to me personally, but also to the reputation of our Guild and the Croatian Chamber of Crafts. Therefore, but with a full sense of responsibility towards all of you and the values ​​that I represent, I am making the decision to resign as president of the Catering Guild and tourist employees of HOK", pointed out Franz Letica when explaining his resignation as president of the Guild of Catering and Tourism Workers of the Croatian Chamber of Crafts.

Finally, we highlight six requests of the Guild of Catering and Tourism Workers HOK-a, which was sent from the 35th Congress of catering and tourism workers, which are critical for the catering and tourism sector so that it can continue to grow and develop. 

1. We are asking for the equalization of the VAT rate in the amount of 13% in the entire sector, and for activities that are registered for hospitality in NKD 55 and 56, in the same way as it was before.

2. In cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, it is necessary to continue the implementation of the Competitiveness of the Tourism Economy program as part of the grant program "Strengthening sustainability and encouraging the green and digital transition of entrepreneurs in the tourism sector" with an emphasis on small and micro entrepreneurs. The program must be adapted in such a way that it applies to all types and types of catering facilities.

3. We are advocating that, through the new qualification framework, we continue to work on the creation of education programs for hospitality professions (cook, waiter, confectioner, etc. new professions) in accordance with new technologies and competencies that are necessary for work in the real sector. It is also necessary to prescribe the implementation of practical classes in relation to theoretical classes in a week-by-week ratio. 

4. For the sake of investment in the workforce in the hospitality industry, and thus greater employment and income in the state and local budget through changes in the relevant regulations, we request the abolition of the consumption tax, which is intended only for the hospitality industry. We also request that the costs of the representation be recognized in one hundred percent amount. 

5. It is necessary to continue cooperation with the Ministry of Labor, Pension System, Family and Social Policy on the adjustment of labor and tax legislation, in order to enable more flexible employment of the workforce in frequent business periods (e.g. weekend work, weddings, lipsticks, etc.), following the example of solutions from other sectors.

6. We are asking for the adaptation and modernization of the basic and extended course program for acquiring basic knowledge about the healthiness of food and personal hygiene of persons working in the production and trade of food, as well as the amendment of the current Ordinance, so that it is implemented in such a way as to appoint responsible persons within the entity and all employees must be educated by the responsible person.