TOURISM workers and employers have agreed to a 1,5% salary increment for those in conservation, safari and wildlife operations, while basic salaries and allowances for those in hotels and lodges remain unchanged, an industry official has said.
BY MTHANDAZO NYONI
Salary talks between tourism workers and employers reached a deadlock in February, with the matter deferred to June 7.
On Tuesday, the two settled for a 1,5% salary increment, according to a circular seen by NewsDay.
“The employer party and employee party agreed on the following: housing allowance for sector two be increased from $47 to $50; basic pay for sector two [conservation, safari and wildlife operations] be increased by 1,5% on all grades and basic pay and allowances for sector one and 1b remain unchanged,” reads part of the circular.
Last year, the industry agreed to a salary increment of 2%, which saw the lowest paid workers getting $105 and $240 in sectors one and two respectively.
The tourism sector is divided into two sections — sector one for mainly hotel and lodge employees and sector two for mostly those in conservation, safari and wildlife operations.
Employers’ Association for Tourism and Safari Operators president, Clement Mukwasi, who represented the National Employment Council for the tourism industry, said both parties settled for a compromise in order to save the industry.
He said employers wanted to reduce salaries, but they realised it was not feasible.
“We are actually being realistic because we don’t want to kill the goose that lays the golden egg. An irresponsible salary structure will kill the sector,” he said.
Tour and safari operators had proposed reducing workers’ salaries citing a weak performance by the industry and later changed and pushed for no increase. Workers on the other hand were pushing for an 80% increment claiming they last had a pay rise in 2012.
The tourism sector has been subdued because of a decrease in tourist arrivals, and this is further compounded by a 15% value-added tax on accommodation, which makes the country an expensive destination.
About 90% of workers in the sector are on contract and the lowest salary is pegged at $200 per month without other benefits.