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The restaurant industry is one of the most vital sectors of the global economy: it fuels tourism, culture, conviviality, and even the international image of a country. Yet, behind the lights of the dining rooms and the aroma of dishes lies a reality of exploitation, endless shifts, starvation wages, and violated rights.
In Italy, up until the 1970s–80s, being a waiter or chef was seen as a dignified and respected profession. With globalization, the spread of fast food, and economic crises, wages began to fall, and the industry turned into fertile ground for exploitation.
In Italy, a waiter earns on average €1,000–1,200 net per month, often without paid overtime. In Switzerland the same role starts from €3,000–3,500, in Germany from €2,000–2,300, in the US tips often exceed base wages, while in Nordic countries contracts guarantee paid leave, bonuses, and protections.
Endless hours, double shifts, unpaid overtime, no holidays, reduced payslips, and fake contracts: this is the daily reality. Added to this are rude customers insulting waiters, poor hygiene, and low-quality products used to cut costs.
A restaurant owner in Italy should pay contributions and protections that often exceed 40% of the gross salary. For this reason, many resort to undeclared work, fake part-time, or on-call contracts that do not match actual hours worked.
Fewer and fewer young people are enrolling in hospitality schools: the job is seen as undignified and without prospects. The result? A lack of qualified staff, forcing restaurants to hire inexperienced and easily exploited workers.
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In Nordic countries, Canada, and Australia, the hospitality sector is protected by strong unions and fair wages. In the US, exploitation is partially offset by tips. In Italy and much of Southern Europe, however, the situation remains precarious.
Exhausting shifts, lack of rest, and constant stress lead to burnout, depression, and early abandonment of the profession. More and more waiters are choosing to change careers or emigrate.
The Italian restaurant industry risks collapsing under rising energy costs, inflation, and staff shortages. Despite high restaurant prices, the real income for workers is shrinking.
The abolition of the Citizenship Income (Rdc) worsened the situation. Labeled as a “lazy benefit,” it was actually a small support that allowed people to resist exploitation and seek alternatives. Its removal, under the Meloni government, has led to more poverty, vulnerability, and exploitation, especially in hospitality.
We need stricter inspections, incentives for legal contracts, fair wages, real training, and a cultural shift to restore respect for hospitality workers.
The restaurant industry cannot survive on exploitation. A radical shift is needed, in Italy and worldwide.
📺 Full video on my YouTube channel → (Turn on subtitles)
