THE SCANDAL of ‘appalling’ wages for travel agents is expected to continue unless a culture of low pay is tackled.
Government figures have revealed agents are paid less than airline cabin crew, van drivers and even street cleaners.
Independent travel agency owners blame inadequate profits in relation to the size of the workforce and say high street multiples set standards on pay.
The big four multiples have defended their pay scales, saying statistics do not account for the youth of many agents and perks such as cheap holidays. But one agency manager told Travel Weekly of their shock at discovering a former Thomson employee aged 44 was paid the minimum wage of £5.05 an hour by the multiple.
Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association travel negotiator Rick Justham blasted: “Travel is a minimum wage industry now. In relative terms pay has slumped in the last 10 years.”
Office of National Statistics figures show in 2005 the travel agency profession dragged itself out of the 50 worst paid jobs in the UK – but still languished a miserly 295th out of 350.
The ONS found agents earned on average £15,950, up from £15,191 in 2004. Meanwhile, agency bosses’ earnings dipped from £24,223 to £23,941. Both groups fell well short of the average UK wage for 2005 of £28,210.
Kinver Travel owner Sue Foxall said: “For as long as I’ve been in the industry we have been underpaid. It’s absolutely appalling.”
Midconsort Elite chief executive Charles Eftichiou said wages are likely to rise as market forces direct more business online. “Inevitably market forces will take their toll. I see there being fewer agents but more professionalism, and the consumer will pay for that.”
However, Eftichiou said the multiples and ABTA have a role in addressing low pay. “The big four lead the way and this certainly comes under ABTA’s remit,” he said.
ABTA is in discussions with research firm Croner Reward about a second successive annual pay survey, the results of which will help members benchmark pay and inform talks with Government on employment issues.
Traveltime managing director and Association of Independent Tour Operators agents chairman Barry Moxley said: “For companies to pay more they need to earn more. We will see a division between the mass market and specialists.”
A Thomson spokesman said: “We’ve never claimed we are the best payer, but we are competitive.”
First Choice benchmarks pay every six months to stay competitive and said the statistics do not reflect other advantages such as holiday benefits.
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