Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project

Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project

The code Tourism Concern produced for tour operators highlighting minimum standards for Porters’ working conditions continues to have a positive impact on the lives of many porters today. Tricia Barnett visited one of our partner organisations in Tanzania and brings you an update on the successes and challenges that face the trekking porters of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) is working tirelessly to improve conditions for trekking porters. Based on Tourism Concern’s code of conduct, KPAP’s Guidelines for Proper Porter Treatment is central to their work. This includes many of the guidelines we introduced for minimum standards for porters, including adequate clothing and equipment, transparent tipping procedures, loads not exceeding 25kg, and wages set at Tsh 6000 (£3.20) to Tsh 8000 (£4.30) a day in agreement with the Kilimanjaro National Park and the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators.

But KPAP have told us there is there is still a long way to go. They have surveyed over 2000 porters on their working conditions. The survey revealed that only 20% of local companies climbing Kilimanjaro pay the mandatory wage and neither government institutions nor the private sector are willing to enforce the distribution of the minimum wage.

“Some porters have to pay a bribe of $5-15 to the guide in order to be hired for a climb. Some only eat one meal per day and are still forced to carry more than the 25kg in weight.”

- Karen Valenti, Programme Manager of KPAP

To further improve conditions, KPAP has initiated a partnership programme, which brings together local trekking organisations who adhere to the Proper Porter Treatment guidelines and overseas companies concerned about porters’ working conditions. KPAP disseminates information about these responsible operators to the general public, specifically targeting climbers and overseas tour operators climbing Kilimanjaro.

“Monitoring of the local companies is essential to ensuring that the actual practices on the mountain reflect what is professed by the company. This includes porter interviews, observation during climbs and surveying the climbers. Only then can we and the trekkers be confident that porters are working under adequate conditions.”

- Karen Valenti, Programme Manager of KPAP

Further information

• Read Tourism Concern’s list of tour operators with ethical policies
• Read Tourism Concern’s ‘Trekking Wrongs: Porter’s Rights campaign’