Luxor4u

the Red Sea Tourist Guides Syndicate threatens to strike over christmas holidays.
The conflict between the members of the Red Sea Tourist Guides Syndicate and the Chamber of Tourism Companies increased due to the negligence of the Chamber’s officials to implement the ministerial decision to raise the guide’s daily wages to 700 Egyptian pounds.

Union members asked Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, the Prime Minister, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Tourism, and Major General Amr Hanafi, Governor of the Red Sea, for intervention and obliging the officials of tourism companies to raise their daily wages to 700 Egyptian pounds for work for 8 hours per day, after the improvement in the numbers of tourists.

The union directed the guides in the various governorates to stop work from December 23, and not to accompany any tourist trips, until their demands are met.

Bashar Abu Talib, captain of the tour guides in the Red Sea, said that he receives daily complaints that tourism companies are not obliged to pay the agreed guide daily 700 pounds per day, and the companies adhere to only 100 pounds, of which 5% taxes are deducted.

He added that the tour guide’s wages file is one of the most important files that the union is seeking to solve, and there is general anger among the tour guides because of the lack of implementation of the ministerial decision on the daily wages of the tour guide. He explained that the low value of the tour guide’s wages makes him have to search for an increase in his income through activities that are not appropriate to the profession, which negatively affects the profession, indicating that the tourist guide gets his daily wages from the value of the tourist trip paid by the company to the company.

100le a day - about £5 - does seem a rather pathetic wage. No wonder they’re always on the scrounge for tips etc. I wish them good luck.

That's good, perhaps the businesses can now make some money.
Thieving b*stards charge everybody 70% commision, they should all be sacked forthwith...

Who2 wrote: Sat Dec 14, 2019 2:16 pm That's good, perhaps the businesses can now make some money.
Thieving b*stards charge everybody 70% commision, they should all be sacked forthwith...

Alternatively, businesses catering for tourists can get off their backsides and advertise their services or wares in a professional manner......instead of inflating their prices so that they can pay commissions to tour reps to induce them to drag in reluctant tourists.

Think I'm with Who on this one. When on a trip from the Red Sea to Luxor you are completely reliant on your tour guide to take you were he or she wants to take you and no matter the quality of the goods they will undoubtedly take you to the perfume, alabaster, perfume shop where they have an arrangement with the owner.
Often tourists have lunch too where the guides pick up another hefty commission.
The information they offer is mostly sketchy, gabbled out as quickly as possible. No sympathy for the tour guides at all.

carrie wrote: Sun Dec 15, 2019 7:32 am Think I'm with Who on this one. When on a trip from the Red Sea to Luxor you are completely reliant on your tour guide to take you were he or she wants to take you and no matter the quality of the goods they will undoubtedly take you to the perfume, alabaster, perfume shop where they have an arrangement with the owner.
Often tourists have lunch too where the guides pick up another hefty commission.
The information they offer is mostly sketchy, gabbled out as quickly as possible. No sympathy for the tour guides at all.

But isn’t that the point of the guide’s case?

They are paid such a ridiculously low wage that they couldn’t possibly survive without commissions. The whole system is screwed.

Raise their wage and the incentive to “scam” is reduced.

Of course there’s no shortage of incompetent guides....and those that will take you to commission-paying outfits whatever they’re paid. There’s also good guides.

The tour companies should pay a reasonable wage and, if necessary, raise their charge to the tourist. The concept of a cheap tour is deeply flawed. You get what you pay for...especially in the quality of the guide.

I doubt very much if raising the wages would stop the scams and I agree there are some very competent guides. On the whole though they are poor and I know they are on miserable basic salaries, still salaries many in Luxor would be glad to receive. When Yildez and I go on our jaunts we get a driver and guide from Oceanus, very good and very knowledgeable. Because of this we always tip well at the end of the trip I have no problem paying for quality and I am sure that most tourists feel the same.

Has there been an update to this? Did they strike?

HEPZIBAH wrote: Tue Dec 31, 2019 9:29 am Has there been an update to this? Did they strike?

Yes.

The strike was well- supported.

After 2 days the government rescinded the proposed levies!

Thanks newcastle.