Working Conditions
Local workers are paid fairly and treated well
The guides, drivers, cooks, and hospitality staff who make a tour possible deserve fair pay, safe conditions, and decent hours. This sub-indicator asks whether operators meet and exceed minimum employment standards for all local staff — and whether they can demonstrate it.
The quality of employment offered to local workers, including wages, safety, and working hours.
How RTA measures this
The same sub-indicator is assessed from two sides: operators self-assess their performance; travellers rate their experience. Both use a 1–5 scale.
“How well did this tour ensure fair wages, safe conditions, and good employment practices for local workers?”
- 1Our guides / drivers are paid as daily workers / sub-contractors on an ad-hoc basis. Or: we do not know as we go through a supplier who is in charge of its own staff.
- 2We do not hire anyone locally. Our guide is a national one to whom we provide regular assignments / salary but no health insurance, employed on an ad-hoc basis.
- 3We employ some people locally and our guides are paid fair rates according to market practices. And/or: we have a clear HR policy respecting the country's labour laws and sometimes go beyond (salary, health insurance, maternity leave).
- 4In addition to the foregoing, we encourage the respect of human and labour rights. We sign a fair contract with everyone we work with and make sure our subcontractors do as well. And/or: our guides receive regular trainings (culture, environment, heritage, sustainability, disability) — first-aid training is included.
- 5In addition to the foregoing, we trained one or several local persons to become an extra guide on this tour.
“How well did this operator appear to treat and compensate its local guides and staff?”
- 1Guides and staff appeared underpaid or poorly treated — there were clear signs of poor working conditions.
- 2Staff morale seemed low and working conditions gave cause for concern.
- 3Working conditions appeared adequate — staff were generally professional though the impression was of basic provision.
- 4Guides and staff appeared well-supported and fairly compensated — morale was clearly good.
- 5Staff were visibly motivated, knowledgeable, and well treated — the operator's commitment to fair employment was evident throughout.
Other sub-indicators in Local Economic Footprint & Livelihood
Rate this indicator yourself
Complete a questionnaire and see how an operator scores across all 16 sub-indicators.