New voice for tourism employees

Previously, employees in the tourism industry in these two sectors were not really appreciated since they were graded and given job titles borrowed from other sectors like transport.
It was also noted that there was need for the two sectors to have their own National Employment Councils as opposed to the current situation where they belong to the catering, transport and commercial NECs.
This, according to the association, was problematic when negotiating for an improvement in salaries and conditions of service.
According to the communiqué issued at the end of the association’s executive committee meeting held in Shangani over the Heroes holiday, EATSO said there was need for the newly formed National Employment Council for the Tourism Industry to set up a pension fund for the two industries with an approved pension provider.
In addition, EATSO announced that work on this subject was at an advanced stage.
“At an executive committee meeting held at Jabulani Safaris, Shangani, from August 12 to 14, 2012, the employers met with the objective to continue with the construction of the collective bargaining agreement for the tourism industry with representation from the majority of stakeholders nationwide. The process of making the document started in the organisations’ regions in March this year.
“Progress was made over the period with the principal agreement and the code of conduct finalised by the association. Within a period of one week from today, these documents will be presented to the appropriate National Employment Council where collective bargaining with employee organisations will take place,” reads part of the communiqué.
The communiqué further stated that the founding members of the both the employers’ association and the National Employment Council, Mr Klodious Hove and John Mujaka, were officially handed over the management of the affairs of the employers’ association to the national committee.
“It is EATSO’s vision to be in a position to amicably attend to all the operational problems, which range from licensing, labour disputes and fees that are currently manifesting themselves among its members.”
The communiqué also noted that the whole industry would now be streamlined under one umbrella employers’ organisation that will go a long way in resolving past, present and future challenges.
“It is imperative that all stakeholders within the industry register with EATSO so as to provide a unified voice for the industry.
EATSO’s structure is comprised of president Mr Clement Mukwasi of Shearwater Adventures, Victoria Falls, and he will be deputised by Mr Craig Broomberg  of Mazunga Safaris/Bubi Valley Conservancies, Beitbridge.
The secretary-general is Mr Tichaona Zimhondi, National Safaris, Harare, and his vice is Mr Neville Daniel Hattingh, Victoria Falls.
The National Employment Council for the Tourism Industry was formed and registered recently by the Ministry of Labour.