Here we are, summer is upon us. The summer climate has already arrived throughout Puglia (and also in Italy) with temperatures up to 30 degrees and a great desire for the sea and the first swims. Last weekend the beaches and lidos were already full, with many beach establishments pulling out the sunbeds early and welcoming those who wanted to sunbathe and have lunch on the coast. “In short, if Easter didn’t go very well due to the very early date and the bad weather – specifies Mondo Balneare, an independent portal dedicated to the beach establishment sector – the managers are now satisfied to have recovered with a full house in the first two weekends of April.” The beaches of Puglia have been taken by storm: from Gargano to Salento, “the presence of bathers – they explain – has in fact exceeded all expectations in relation to the period”.
Although tourism data in Puglia is optimistic, there is still a lack of many workers to employ in the sector. Therefore, many structures are looking for workers, many of them luxury ones. To name just a few, Tito Schipa of Ostuni, Masseria Garrappa, Il White of Ostuni, Lido Spiaggia Verde of Barletta, Masseria Il Frantoio, Ristorante Lido Bianco of Monopoli and also Borgo Egnathia. For those who want to work, all you need to do is visit the major personnel search sites. The offer is wide and varied.
But watch out for the pay. The national collective labor agreement (CCNL) for catering provides a minimum monthly salary for a professional waiter of 1,500 euros gross (i.e. approximately 1,250 euros net), with 14 monthly salaries and 40 hours of work per week. Then everything obviously depends on experience and preparation. The starting point is the Ccnl figures which vary depending on the contractual levels. Level one can receive over 1850 euros per month, followed by level 2 around 1700 euros.
But, obviously, we must keep in mind that the salary range is vast: the minimum net salary is normally that of a part-time waiter, who earns approximately €680 net per month. An apprentice waiter earns €700 per month. A professional waiter earns an average of €1,250 per month. But in the summer season the average can even reach €1,450. Obviously, as anticipated, these are minimum values, market demand and professional experience can significantly increase these figures and even the number of working hours can be different in certain cases.
