Social Justice
A man is not hero because he is braver than anyone else. But because he is brave for ten minutes longer. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Better working conditions and basic human rights of the porters and field staff are the cornerstone of the Himalayan Humanity social justice initiative. Himalayan Humanity Treks will not differ radically from any other company in fulfilling its social justice aims, but it will be different in providing more facilities for staff and improving its staff working conditions.
Himalayan Humanity follows these guidelines and encourages all stakeholders to follow them also:
- Porters will be hired through formal
contracts, with clear terms and conditions for insurance, wages,
load limits, accident/disability treatment provisions
and other facilities. Before hiring porters and other staff, health checkups
will be provided.
- Required equipment will be provided to porters and other
field staff, for example; sleeping tents, protective clothing, carrying
equipment and kerosene
for their
own use.
- Porters and other field staff will be provided the same
standard of medical care as the client will be provided. Porters
and other field
staff will not
be paid off because of illness and the staff leader will have authority
to use the medical expenses for porters while they are sick.
- Porters will not
be allowed to carry more than 30 kg loads in low altitude and 25
kg in high altitude, including personal allowance.
- Porters and other field staff
will be provided at least 500 to 700 Rs per day in Tea-house trek
and 300 to 400 Rs per day and food in camping trek.
- Porters will be provided
training in First Aid, health and safety issues, altitude sickness,
management of emergency situations, general health and hygiene,
reproductive
health education (HIV/AIDS/STI) English language, local flora and fauna
and history. Focus will be given to those porters who are interested
in career
and personal development.
- Membership of porter unions and associations will
be encouraged and supported, allowing porters to voice their own
needs and concerns.
- Himalayan Humanity Treks will empower women by providing
jobs and training as porter, porter/guide and guide
- We will not exploit child labour
