TUC urges big four to set standards
The Trades Union Congress has called on the top four vertically-integrated travel companies to audit the working conditions of their suppliers to ensure workers are not being abused.
The call follows a Tourism Concern investigation showing many of the 200 million workers employed in the industry suffer low and unpredictable pay, treacherous safety conditions, serious health risks, sexual harassment, long hours and casual employment.
The study also revealed many have no contracts, no training and are prevented from joining trade unions.
TUI, First Choice, Mytravel and Thomas Cook account for over 50 per cent of the tourism business leaving the UK and the TUC has called for them to set the standards for others to follow.
“UK holidaymakers would want to know that a fair share of their holiday pound was going to people who make their holidays great,” said TUC general secretary Kay Carberry.
“They would be reassured to know that their holiday company has made sure there is no mistreatment of waiters, cleaners, guides, reps, cooks, drivers and other workers who cater for them.”
Tourism Concern programme manager Guyonne James said: “Every resort Tourism Concern researched can be found in the brochures of the major tour operators. The tourism industry has to start taking labour standards seriously if this abuse is to stop. They have to make sure that no worker down their supply chain is exploited just to increase profits.”
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