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



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