Jean-Pierre Ghiribelli (UMIH): "A strategic dialogue to regulate the profession before summer"

LABOR LAW This meeting brought together the DDPP, the DDETS, the SDIS 83, the police and the gendarmerie around a central issue: supporting a key sector of the Var economy in a context of reinforced standards and growing expectations regarding the quality of welcome. The prefect insisted on obligations and risks and recalled: "The summer season cannot be planned without increased vigilance regarding labor law, a point I describe as very important." The DDETS services detailed the rules relating to working hours, emphasizing two sensitive subjects: the use of foreign workers and the fight against undeclared work.

These themes, Simon Babre insisted, condition the credibility of the sector and public trust.

"You are surrounded by people you can ask, who can support you," he recalled, emphasizing that the State services are not only there to penalize "but also to help secure practices."

HYGIENE, SAFETY, ERP A complete review of obligations was carried out. Thus, the DDPP presented the rules of food hygiene, traceability, consumer information (allergens, labeling), as well as requirements related to the safety of establishments open to the public: capacity, evacuation, compliance of installations. The SDIS insisted on the need to anticipate inspections and keep records up to date.

A point echoed by Jean-Pierre Ghiribelli: "When an inspection happens, everything must be ready. Just like for a car: insurance, license, documents. This inspires confidence."

PUBLIC SAFETY Prevention and coordination are the key words for the police and the gendarmerie. The internal security forces recalled the issues related to public peace disturbances, drinking establishments, violence prevention, and the risks of drug trafficking, particularly during the summer. Special awareness-raising was conducted for sensitive establishments, with a call for cooperation and reporting.

"PERMIT TO OPERATE" This innovation is led by the UMIH of Var and supported by the prefect. This initiative, still in the definition phase, aims to group all regulatory obligations into a clear and accessible kit: hygiene, labor law, safety, administrative obligations, and training. For the prefect: "This permit could become a tool for mutual trust; once an operator has validated this path, it could lead to moderate inspections and a presumption of compliance with the rules."

For his part, Jean-Pierre Ghiribelli sees it as a way to further professionalize the sector and strengthen the relationship with State services: "We must know each other to recognize each other. Professionals need to understand the rules, and State services must understand our constraints."

Ultimately, the participants recognized this enhanced dialogue as a way to achieve a strategic season. Thus, the president of the Department welcomed a "good formula" to clarify gray areas before the tourists arrive. With a claimed customer satisfaction rate of 96%, the UMIH intends to maintain a high level of demand while facilitating the understanding of standards.

This meeting marked an important step in the cooperation between the State and the economic actors of tourism, a major pillar of the Var economy.

It paved the way for a summer season where compliance, safety, and quality of welcome must move forward together.