Almost no journey can make do without them: private drivers or drivers of shuttles and coaches. The guests' satisfaction  and not least, their security  depends on the drivers' working conditions and their job satisfaction. Tour operators also need to take responsibility in this matter. But how can labour and social standards for driving personnel in tourism be implemented and guaranteed? A current publication of the "Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism" provides answers and recommendations.

Most countries have labour laws for driving personnel, but there is seldom control whether these laws are complied with. Additionally, the tourism season is often restricted to a few months, and people working in tourism want to work and earn a lot during these months. It is the tour operators' challenge to create fair working conditions for their employees and service providers  after all, it's the drivers who transport their guests and who are responsible for their security.

Specific recommendations for implementation
A current manual of the "Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism" summarises the recommended minimum requirements for social and labour standards in the transport sector and provides tour operators with specific recommendations for their implementation and monitoring. The manual answers specific and frequently asked questions from real life: As a tour operator, how can I make sure that the recommended minimum requirements are respected by my transport service provider? Which international agreements and relevant regulations are to be taken into account? How can possible discrepancies between legal provisions and human rights claims be overcome  e.g. the difference between minimum wage and a living income? How do I set up contracts and which contractual clauses are reasonable and tested in practice? Furthermore, the four-page manual also presents recommendations for actions which have been tested and implemented in practice. The guidelines are applicable around the world and adaptations to specific regional circumstances are possible.

The manual “HUMAN RIGHTS IN PRACTICE! Recommendations for implementationof labor and social standards for driving personnel in the tourism sector“ is available for download on the website of the "Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism" in German and English: 
http://www.menschenrechte-im-tourismus.net/en/implementation-document/h… Additionally, the proposed contractual clauses are also available in French.

The "Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism" is ...
... a multi-stakeholder initiative and considers itself an open platform to advance human rights in tourism. It provides incentives for enterprises, organisations and institutions that are campaigning for the respect of human rights in tourism. The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which describe human rights due diligence of enterprises, serve as orientation for the activities of the Roundtable.
www.menschenrechte-im-tourismus.net/en