Agent speaks out against unfair working conditions

THANK you for your excellent
coverage of news, events
and issues within the travel
industry.
I found your August 10
issue particularly interesting:
specific reference was
made to women in travel
and ideas on how to better
their working conditions. It
immediately reminded me
of an aspect of my job I
particularly dislike, and I am
sure many of my colleagues
(male and female) would
agree.
I work for one of the largest
travel companies in South
Africa and we have an afterhours
service where we have
to make use of a laptop
and mobile phone to assist
clients with any (not only
emergencies) after-hours
issues.
But for us as mothers (and
fathers) it is very stressful to
work after hours with limited
connectivity and old mobile
phones. Waking up in the
early hours of the morning to
sort out a problem becomes
an issue, especially if you
are expected to put in a
hard day's work again from
7am. It becomes a vicious
circle, which is not conducive
to proper work ethic or
conditions.