TOURISM Concern has stepped up its campaign against the
big four claiming they profit from exploitative working
conditions.
The pressure group said operators put profit margins ahead of
care for workers and is targeting the biggest operators to make the
greatest impact.
Staff working in hotels and resorts featured in the big
four’s programmes are paid poorly, have insecure contracts
and work long hours with unpaid overtime, the group claims.
Campaign manager Guyonne James said: “The effect is devastating
– it maintains poverty levels and has a huge impact on
workers’ family lives.”
This week the organisation launched its Sun, Sand, Sea and
Sweatshops campaign which asks the public to pressurise operators
to change their policies. It follows a report earlier this year
which looked at conditions in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Bali,
the Canary Islands and Egypt.
One of the campaign tactics is to distribute 100,000 postcards
addressed to Thomson, First Choice, Thomas Cook and Airtours, which
the public are asked to sign. The postcards warn the public not to
book with any operator which “exploits people”.
Federation of Tour Operators director-general Andy Cooper
dismissed claims as exaggerated. “We don’t believe labour
conditions are so bad they would need a radical improvement. To
describe conditions as ‘sweatshops’ is at best
disingenuous and at worst deliberately misleading,” he said.
TUI UK and MyTravel echoed the FTO’s comments. First
Choice said it was “surprised” by the campaign.
“Tourism Concern should share the evidence that supports its
claims so we can investigate. To date it’s been reluctant to
do so,” a spokeswoman said.
Thomas Cook said it was committed to responsible tourism.