Big four get poor marks for ethics

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.