nccr – on the move
Published February 2026 | Version v1
Other Open

Precarity in the hospitality industry: How migrant workers cope –and where policy intervention is needed

Authors/Creators

  • 1. ROR icon University of Neuchâtel
  • 2. ROR icon ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences
  • 3. HES-SO Valais Wallis
  • 4. ROR icon HES-SO Genève
  • 5. ROR icon HES-SO Valais-Wallis
  • 6. ROR icon University of Lausanne
  • 7. ROR icon European Council on Refugees and Exiles

Description

Labor migrants play a vital role in sustaining key sectors of the Swiss economy, often working under conditions that few Swiss nationals are willing to accept. The hospitality industry exemplifies this migrationdependent model, which is increasingly strained by labor shortages. Our research reveals that these workers show remarkable adaptability to precarious work and living conditions, yet structural barriers persist – particularly around career advancement and access to affordable housing. This points to urgent needs for policy interventions in the areas of minimum wage regulation, the promotion of continuing vocational training, and housing.

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Policy-Brief-nccr-on-the-move-28.pdf

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Additional details

Additional titles

Subtitle
in a nutshell #28
Alternative title (French)
La précarité dans l'hôtellerie restauration: Stratégies d'adaptation des travailleur·euse·s migrant·e·set interventions politiques nécessaires
Alternative title (German)
Prekarität im Gastgewerbe: Wie Arbeitsmigrant*innen damitumgehen – und wo Politik gefragt ist

Funding

Swiss National Science Foundation
NCCR On the Move: The Migration-Mobility Nexus (phase III) 205605