Where are we now… the latest news on porters’ rights?

Add caption

Readers will recall our campaign for porters’ rights in mountainous regions.  We used as an example the work of Sherpas in guided tours on Everest.  This has become big business for a very poor country; yet it comes at great cost.  The local guides risk their lives routinely in the interests of foreign tourists. 16 guides died in bad weather in April 2014.  The Nepalese government promised a miserly 40,000 rupees (£245) by way of ‘compensation’ (Guardian, 26/4/14).   This sum would barely cover the cost of a decent funeral.
A number of problems lie beneath this tragedy.  There is still a chronic need for regulation in this industry.  This needs to go beyond a tick box list of the qualities, skills and experience of the guides.  To many this is also starting at the wrong end, for it is patronising to put many guides through bureaucratic tests when most are highly experienced, very fit, and well used to living in their own environment.  Government officials need to consider their position carefully, for it has been calculated that the country earns over £60m per season from tourists coming to Everest, yet less than £10 million of that seems to stay in the country.  Surely more of this income could be put aside for welfare costs, insurance, hospitals, rescue teams and equipment?
Sadly to relate, it has become apparent that the working conditions of the guides and the respect with which they are treated is not as well observed as it should be outside the most respected travel companies.  It is very sad if the Sherpas not only take great risks on behalf of their tourists, literally carry great burdens, only to be treated like beggars and menial servants.
Good news: Government agencies, mountaineering associations, and some tour companies are showing signs that they are taking these matters seriously. For real change, however, Tourism Concern advocates that we need tourists themselves to demand higher standards and to vote with their feet if real changes are not implemented. For fuller details of our suggested ‘code of practice’ please see items elsewhere on our website.