Finally: hospitality workers will earn more from 2024
Just to start with a personal anecdote: when I started working in hospitality, I was fifteen and got fired within two weeks because I was hopeless at it, but during my comeback at eighteen, things went a lot better. And I absolutely loved it; the atmosphere among hospitality colleagues is something I still sometimes miss. Another plus: I was a student, just like many colleagues, with zero responsibilities. Going to Cooldown or Bubbels on a Sunday was therefore never a bad idea, because the chances of having anything to do were extremely small anyway.
But there was also one major downside: the salary. When I started, I earned 6.25 euros. That is extremely little, especially in 2023; you can just about buy a Big Mac with it. And given my spending habits, I had to borrow quite a bit more from DUO, even though I worked three or four days a week. Okay, okay — I’ve never been very good with money.
Significant increases in hospitality
Fortunately, people no longer have to work for such an hourly wage these days, and that difference will become even bigger next year. The hospitality sector’s collective labor agreement negotiations have resulted in salaries being increased by eight to twelve percent. Good news: by far the largest group will benefit from a twelve percent pay rise, but entry-level hospitality workers will also be much better off next year: the minimum wage will rise to 13.27 euros.
When I worked at that hospitality business in 2011, there were two people earning ten euros net per hour. TWO. I still remember the owner saying that they were genuine exceptions and that you should never count on earning that much. I’m so glad those days have changed. And that my boss is no longer my boss, by the way.
Don’t celebrate too soon
This is all very good news, of course, but there is a catch: these new agreements only apply to 2024. “That creates room during next year’s negotiations,” says Edwin Vlek of FNV Horeca. So it remains to be seen whether things will still be this way in 2025, but if you’re hesitating about working in hospitality, this might be the push you need.
I can highly recommend it, and especially with the staff shortage, they will be eager to hire you. Good to know: this minimum wage applies both to zero-hours contracts and to working in permanent employment.
