RANAU - Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin wants the payment for porters at the Mount Kinabalu to be adjusted to follow the rates set by the Sabah Parks (TTS).
He said currently the porter rates to carry Mount Kinabalu climber's luggage by Sabah Parks was RM13 per kilogramme (kg) with a minimum of 10kg while the rates to carry accommodation essentials were set at RM5.50 per kg.
"According to TTS reports, the average income of a porter for Mount Kinabalu with 12 hikes a month is RM3,540.
"The rate to carry essential items for accommodations and restaurants is RM5 per kg operated by Mountain Torq and Sutera Sanctuary Lodge," he said after a dialogue session with TTS, Sutera Sanctuary Lodge, Mountain Torq, Mountain Malim Association and Mount Kinabalu Porter Association in Kundasang on Sunday.
He said on average the weight of the items carried by a porter per day was 35kg for a single hike and if the porter hiked 15 times a month, the income would be RM2,625 while the frequency of the hike depends on the porter.
He explained that the rate for mountain guides currently was RM230 for a two-day and one night stay and the average guide would hike 13 times in a month with estimated wage of RM2,990.
He suggested that Sutera Sanctuary Lodge and Mountain Torq to consider standardising the rates to be the same across TTS.
"The porter and mountain guide rates will be discussed from time to time so they would be able to increase the work-life balance for better living standards.
"The wages need to be in accordance with the services given especially towards Mount Kinabalu climbers," he said.
However, Jafry stressed that he wanted all porters and mountain guides to give good services in line with the image of Mount Kinabalu that will gain its recognition as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Global Geopark.