The standard of employees' living conditions directly affects the level of service they deliver. The standard of employees' living conditions directly affects the level of service they deliver.


GHS’ Maercks added that although there was “substantial variance in the quality of staff accommodation across companies” in the Middle East, standards had “improved drastically over the past few years”.

 

“As density allowances per room have reduced and amenity and recreation requirements have increased, the overall standard has continued to improve to a reasonable level,” he stated.

 

EAHM’s Hilvert said he felt it was important to also consider the conditions that some employees were coming from.

 

“I’ve recruited in a lot of these cities and I can’t think that anybody coming here isn’t in a far better situation in their accommodation here and is probably earning five or ten times what they would back home.”

 

Keane maintained that this may not be enough in certain cases.

 

“As I don't know where the workers have come from, I cannot see it through their eyes,” he said.

 

“Maybe it is a sizeable jump up in standards for them, but if it is, perhaps we should consider whether we are getting the right people in to run our businesses.

 

“Paying someone a wage equal to two years’ salary in a small village in northern China does not make it a good wage,” he continued.

 

“We need free-thinking, empowered teams of young people and I can tell you here and now that it won't happen until we start to pay people a living wage that allows them to get a life of their own in a part of town that means they are part of the community at large, a member, an asset even.

 

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“They need a sense of worth, value and belonging in the city they live in, not the one they come from.”

 

But GHS’ Maercks said there had been a steady increase over the past few years in the standard of hospitality staff accommodation.

 

“There is a substantial variance in the quality of staff accommodation across companies based on specifications and the age of facilities, as some are several years old and some are relatively new,” he admitted.

 

“But for the most part, the standard has improved drastically over the past few years.

 

“It has also become a rather important factor in attracting and retaining key personnel, as the allure of better quality and well-located housing has been seen as a benefit that staff members consider quite highly as an important element to consider as far as which hotel property or group they would like to be employed with,” he explained.

 

Middle East operators’ progress in this field was officially recognised this month by the first ever Best Staff Accommodation Award, announced at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference on May 4.

 

The shortlist comprised Fairmont Dubai, InterContinental PortGhalib, Hyatt’s Sahari Village and The Village by JW Marriott.

 

For more information on the award, visit: www.arabianconference.com

 

 

The Best Staff Accommodation Award

 

 

This year’s Arabian Hotel Investment Conference will see the first awarding of the Best Staff Accommodation Award.

 

Established to recognise excellence in the field of staff accommodation, the award emphasises the value that hotel operators put into looking after their own teams as well as their guests.

 

 

 

Kirk Kinsell, president — EMEA, InterContinental Hotels Group:

 

“Great staff housing assures comfort, safety, a place of belonging and a sense of pride — all necessary to deliver great service and increase retention through engagement that helps drive owner profits.  

 

“We commend the organisers of AHIC for recognising the importance of staff accommodation through this award.”  

 

 

 

Jonathan Worsley, chairman, Bench Events:

 

“The reason for launching the Best Staff Accommodation Award was to raise awareness amongst developers and operators the importance of looking after staff. 

 

“We are keen to promote staff welfare which is integral to guest experience and an efficient operation.”