Media Release (September, 9, 2008)

Kerala Tourism Watch supports Kerala Houseboat Workers strike for higher wages

Kerala Tourism Watch, an informal coalition of civil society activists and local communities, declares its moral and political solidarity to the striking workers of the Houseboat Industry in Kerala. Workers have launched an indefinite strike demanding better wages. Kerala’s tourism industry which often talks about responsible tourism stands thoroughly exposed in the wake of the strike. The houseboat industry has grown disproportionate to the carrying capacity of Kerala backwaters and it provides direct employment to nearly 2000 workers staffed by over 600 houseboats. The workers are mostly affiliated to Center of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) the workers front of Communist party of India (Marxists) (CPI (M)).

The strike has been called following a refusal of the Boat owners to renew the labour contract after the existing two-year contract expired in August, 2008. The current wages of Houseboat workers is a meager Rs 2500 (USD 56) per month and a daily allowance of Rs 100 (USD 2.25) in an industry that boasts of average daily business of Rs.2.5 million (USD 57000) during the peak season. The employees have asked a salary hike to Rs.4000 and daily allowance to Rs.200.

We note with regret that the government (in which the CPI (M) is the leading partner) and the tourism industry have not taken a sympathetic stand towards the demands of the workers Union. Negotiations prior to the strike have been futile and the workers were unnecessarily forced into the strike due to this general apathy to their causes. Kerala Tourism Watch believes that the indifference and insensitivity to the causes of the workers work to undermine the credibility of the tripartite system of labour negotiations in the Tourism industry.

The ruling CPI (M), has on its own rights, emerged as a Tourism entrepreneur in the State. The Party has allowed its senior cadres to establish Star Hotels and entertainment parks as cooperative ventures with party nominees forming the core of the director board. Kerala Tourism Watch shares the anxiety of the civil society in Kerala that the Party in its new role as Entrepreneur might be antagonistic to the interest of the workers in the tourism industry.

The strike has brought to public attention the pitiable living conditions and low wages of workers in the tourism Industry in Kerala. Tourism organizations in the State have time and again pointed out that Kerala Tourism’s rhetoric of responsible tourism does not tally with its repeatedly proven track record of irresponsible practices. The strike of Houseboat workers has once again vindicated this criticism of Kerala tourism.

On the strike front, there is an escalation of tensions. There are media reports regarding instances of workers stopping tourists from boarding Houseboats and the striking employees preventing other workers from operating Houseboats. In a state known for labour militancy, such practices, although undesirable, are widely prevalent in all sectors. We are apprehensive that these instances will be blown up with the help of right wing Media to legitimize repression and/or demoralize the strike compelling workers Union to accept a package that will serve the interests of the Boat Owners.
It is important to note in this context that the Kerala’s tourism Industry has completely failed to curb the burgeoning growth of the houseboat operation that endangers the fragile ecosystem of the backwaters in the state causing displacement of and loss of livelihood for traditional fishers. The strike and the economic demands of the houseboat workers clearly indicate that it has also failed miserably to protect the interests of the workers who have found alternative menial employment in the tourism sector.

Kerala Tourism Watch calls for an amicable and just settlement of the wage dispute between workers and houseboat owners. The workers’ demands are genuine and fair given the context of inflationary economic conditions and growing food crisis in the state. Meanwhile, we reassert our deep concerns about the State’s and Workers Union’s continuing indifference to the ethical and environmental problems that the Houseboat industry has engendered. An earnest debate on this issue to create environmentally viable standards of House Boat operation in Kerala’s backwaters is long overdue.