Hotels to be named and shamed

Luxury hotels which exploit Australian workers and destroy the environment will be named and shamed on a new ethical rating website...

An initiative of hotel workers Union the LHMU, The First Star website - www.thefirststar.com.au - is aimed to be a tool for travellers and workers to push for social Change.

Launching the website in Sydney on Thursday, LHMU national secretary Louise Tarrant said she was confident the public would back the scheme.

"People value quality ,but not off the back of exploitation or at the expense of environment," she said.

She said hotel workers were often among the most poorly paid in Australia and deserved better working conditions.

"The First Star is a positive program to encourage luxury hotels to negotiate fair agreements with their workers and take steps to address their environmental impact," she said.

Ms Tarrant said the scheme would compile customer and worker experiences at luxury hotels, as well as consulting industry groups and environmental groups.

"We shall then report online all hotels that commit to clear and transparent processes and we shall encourage supporters to use preferred hotels," she said.

Adelaide hotel worker Andrew Reynolds said he hoped travellers would embrace The First Star rating system.

"I treat my guests with respect and it's time for the hotel industry to treat its workers and the environment with respect," he said.

Australian Conservation Foundation climate Change campaigner Phil Freeman said hotels should work with their staff to reduce energy and water consumption.

"Our natural icons like the Great Barrier Reef and tens of thousands of tourism jobs that depend on them are at risk if we let climate Change spiral out of control," he said.

Source: www.theage.com.au