Pages: 15

This chapter introduces the relationship between the hospitality sector and migrant labour and provides a brief account of the history of migrant labour in the hospitality sector, drawing upon different countries as examples. This chapter also describes migrant policies and economic conditions in different countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom. It introduces definitions of hospitality and its close connection to the tourism sector and what attracts migrants to this sector, including an overview of their demographic profiles and motivations. The chapter will conclude with the importance of migrant workers in the hospitality sector and introduce the other chapters within this book.

Pages: 23

This chapter examines skill discounting of migrant workers in the hospitality industry. It explores the underutilisation or devaluation of migrant workers’ existing skills and qualifications and the multifaceted barriers that contribute to these barriers. The chapter further explores factors such as cultural discrimination, language barriers, non-recognition of foreign qualifications and the restrictive and legal and policy frameworks. The consequences of skill discounting are also addressed, including the effects on migrants’ mental health and well-being. The chapter then identifies a range of strategies to mitigate these challenges, including the use of microcredentials, targeted policy reforms, inclusive recruitment practices, employer-led talent recognition and the development of support networks and bridging programmes. These strategies not only support fairer outcomes for migrant workers but also offer the hospitality industry a chance to better leverage their skills in a sector demanding skilled workers.

Pages: 15

Migrant workers play a significant role in the hospitality industry, filling gaps in the workforce and providing expertise, diversity and cultural capital. With migrants filling roles in entry-level roles such as kitchen hands, housekeeping, food and beverage attendants, front office staff and other culinary positions, their value cannot go unrecognised. However, migrant workers often experience high levels of turnover compared to locally born employees, which presents further challenges for the sector. This chapter examines the factors influencing migrant turnover, such as economic exploitation, legal precarity, social exclusion and organisational neglect. Additionally, the chapter examines the impacts of high turnover among migrants in the hospitality sector, with key factors including operational disruptions, increased recruitment costs, loss of cultural capital, workplace culture and reputational costs. The chapter argues that migrant turnover in the hospitality industry is essential for ensuring organisational stability, service quality and sustainability.

Pages: 17

This chapter explores the motivations that drive migrants to seek employment in the hospitality industry, focusing on push factors such as economic instability, limited job opportunities and political pressures, and pull factors including job availability, perceived mobility and the sector’s openness to new arrivals. Through case studies of hotels with strong integration practices, it highlights how some employers actively support migrant workers into meaningful roles. This chapter then examines the positions most commonly held by migrant workers, from frontline and operational roles to those in supervisory and managerial levels. While migrants are vital in the hospitality workforce, there remains a noticeable gap in the literature around the entry into the workforce and their long-term career development and progression. This chapter provides insights into the current employment landscape for migrants in hospitality.

Pages: 13

This chapter investigates migrant retention in the hospitality industry, focusing on the conditions and decisions that influence migrant workers remain in their roles over time. Retention is explored not only as a business concern but also as part of a broader system shaped by structural inequalities, workplace practices and migration policies. Drawing on international examples and sector-specific research, this chapter examines how migrants’ decisions to stay are shaped by their experiences of recognition, progression, belonging and fairness at work. This chapter further explores a range of issues including exploitative conditions, insecure visa arrangements, skills underutilisation and cultural disconnection, all of which contribute to high turnover rates. Additionally, it highlights how some businesses are actively rethinking their approach to migrant retention and provides practical insights for employers, managers and policymakers.

Pages: 15

This chapter explores the current state of play, emerging trends affecting migrant workers and the management of migrant workers in the hospitality industry, and offers actionable recommendations to benefit key stakeholders including migrants themselves, employers, policymakers and educators. This chapter also discusses the impact of global economic conditions, such as the post-pandemic recovery phase, on migration and employment trends in hospitality, as well as technological advancements and new models of employment emerging in the industry, such as, for example, the gig economy. This chapter concludes by also making recommendations for possible future research directions to further the understanding of the under-researched area of migrant workers in the hospitality industry.