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Tour Guide: A dream job? – Only if the working conditions are correct!

10 November 2010

To feel the wind caress one's face, to experience distant countries and foreign cultures, and to get paid for that - who would not be tempted by that? Many people think that as a tour guide they can turn this wish into a profession. But this job is by no means a holiday, it is hard work. Excessive working hours, low pay, heavy work pressure and dependence on the employer do not always make this job a dream job.

The European Trade Union Liaison Committee on Tourism (ETLC), which is the cooperation platform of all European trade unions affiliated to EFFAT, ETF and UNI Europa representing tourism workers, carried out in summer 2010 a survey on the working conditions of those who work for the tour operators in the tourism destinations: tour guides, tour managers and entertainers. The results of the survey were presented at the ETLC Conference on 27-28 October 2010 in Palma de Mallorca, which convened more than 55 participants from 15 European countries.

The survey was designed as a pilot study to gain a first insight into the working conditions of this group of workers. Work contract, working time, income, social security and workers’ representation were identified as major problem areas, which the ETLC wants to take into the public debate and to address in the trade union activities at various levels.

The ETLC demands for the improvement of the working conditions of tour guides are:

respect of national and European working time legislation
stipulation of weekly working time in the work contract
no work contracts with commitment to unpaid overtime
compensation of overtime in the high season by paid leave in low season
unlimited work contracts instead of successive contracts
employment at the headquarters of the tour operator
life-sustaining basic income
comprehensive social security coverage
information by the employer about rights granted by labour law and collective agreements
respect of workers’ representation and information and consultation rights

The ETLC will continue striving for transnational trade union cooperation to end the precarious working conditions of this highly mobile workforce. Furthermore, the ETLC will explore possibilities for a Europe-wide recognition and certification of the profession tour guide.
Details of the survey can be viewed on the ETLC website: http://www.etlc-network.eu/rights_for_guides/final_report

The project is financially supported by the European Commission.

ENDS

For more information please contact:

European Transport Workers' Federation
Rue du Marché aux Herbes 105, Boîte 11
B-1000 Bruxelles
Telephone: +32 (0)2 285 46 60
Fax: +32 (0)2 280 08 17
Email: etf@etf-europe.org

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