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Tourist Guides: No More Room Sharing

Thursday, 04 June 2009 10:43am

Contributed by Simranjit Kaur Gill

Effective 1 June 2009, tour operators are prohibited from forcing its female and male tourist guides to share hotel rooms, announced Dato’ Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, Minister of Tourism. Dato’ Seri announced this Ministry of Tourism policy at the launch of the Malaysian Women Tourist Guide Association (MWTGA)’s “No Room Share” campaign, which was launched on 1 June 2009 at the Malaysian Tourist Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Also present at the launch were Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun (Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, National Chairperson of Wanita MCA and Advisor of MWTGA), Erina Loo Siew Meng (President of MWTGA) and Fatimi Effendi (Officer at the Ministry of Tourism in charge of licensing of tour operators). Organisations in support of the “No Room Sharing” policy include the Bar Council’s Human Rights Committee (BCHRC), the Ministry of Tourism, Wanita MCA, Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), Amnesty International Malaysia (AI), All Women’s Action’s Society (AWAM) and Sisters in Islam (SIS).

In her speech, the Minister recognised that Malaysia, in encouraging women to contribute to its nation-building, must do its utmost to ensure that women feel safe in any workplace. Women should not feel sexually harassed in any manner while performing their job. Accordingly, women tourist guides are similarly entitled to a safe working environment. Dato Seri’ further stressed that the Ministry will revoke the licences of tour operators who fail to comply with this policy.

Datin Paduka Chew echoed Dato’ Seri’s sentiments when she urged tour operators to adhere to the “no room sharing” policy and also urged other key stakeholders (e.g. those in the hotel industry) to work collectively towards creating an enabling environment for all tourist guides, not only women tourist guides.

Datin Paduka also commended MWTGA on its efforts in advocating for the rights of women tourist guides. As a result of its struggle to have MWTGA recognised as an autonomous organisation, its members are now entitled to renew their licences independent of its affiliation with the Malaysia Tour Guide Council.

MWTGA was established in February 2007 to represent the interests and concerns of women tourist guides, including advocating for a safe working environment and the right to equal opportunities and equal pay. The BCHRC is committed to supporting MWTGA in its efforts towards equality and the elimination of discrimination.

Please click here to read the MWTGA's press release relating to its campaign

Please click here to read Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun's speech at the launch of the MWTGA's campaign

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