It has always amazed me how anyone manages to survive in Zim. They have to be resilient, creative and optimistic.
Like all guides however they somehow manage to survive on low wages and all the scenery and adventures they can eat.

quote:

Originally posted by wrenchmaster:

quote:

If it were me seriously....get all of ZIM to raise their DAILY RATES across the board and get your PH's the monies they deserve...if folks want to hunt Zim...MAKE them pay to cover the EXPENSES for at least the AVERAGE ZIM PH and His family!!!

Those who want to play have to pay...simple!

Late, are you suggesting that the professional hunters in Zim practice collusion to artificially raise the rates without competing? Or, are you saying that the Zim government should just set a rate for everyone? If so, both of these practices have seriously bad long term consequences.

Martin, in your income list, you stated $100 per day or so for gratuities. I can only speak for myself on this matter; should the ph tell me they want a certain amount per day for a tip (I had that happen), I might get really stingy in a hurry. However, if the hunt has been a good experience, I can get very generous just as quickly. As far as the previously mentioned ph, I did pay what he asked due to the fact I was sick of the scumbag and just wanted him to be somewhere where I wasn't.

No, not at all...

Stating if the Zim PH/Outfitters organization could raise daily rates across the board to offer themselves a better and FAIR daily rate as other African countries [i.e., as I've heard Tanz and Moz rates are higher overall for a variety of reasons] and do so competitively where their PH's could make a decent living from their profession they truly love...IMHO, would be win-win for everyone involved.

A well-compensated PH who will be in this profession long-term and happy safari hunters
as they will have a PH again in the future and not have to leave the industry because of financial distress is my suggestion...

quote:

Originally posted by Skip Nantz:
Been to Africa now 4 times (hopefully, many more trips to follow!). I have said many times that our poorest of people (here in eastern Kentucky) are millionaires compared to the communal Africans I have witnessed. We are a very spoiled country and that is why many other countries do not like us! But, I think our time is coming if things continue down the Obama lane.

Just my 2 cents worth.

You should visit India. At least the poor in Africa are generally clean and have a smile on their face.

But you have a good perspective. The only difference between me and some kid with flies around his eyes and mouth living in a mud brick hut is luck of birth. Ironically, Oprah would not be a billionaire had her ancestors not been taken against their will to America.

quote:

You guys tip plenty. It is often referred to as tax. After all you have a crippled and disabled nation to support?

Are you talking about Africa or here in the U.S.A.?
After all, we seem to be heading toward the toilet faster & faster.

quote:

Originally posted by jhaney:
The guides financial world is much the same this side of the pond. It is a labour of love for sure and everyone I knows that has to leave that life longs for it everafter. Great way to live, but seldom a great living!

Jim

+1 Jim.

Martin Thank you for this wonderful post. It really helps to put things in perspective


The PH's I have been around are just wonderful and amazingly hard working folks.

By Another AZ Writer:

quote:

The only difference between me and some kid with flies around his eyes and mouth living in a mud brick hut is luck of birth. Ironically, Oprah would not be a billionaire had her ancestors not been taken against their will to America.

All very true, but a bit off topic.

The lot of an itinerate PH -- or for that matter any PH -- is no doubt a hard one. Up hours before dawn to make ready, hunt all day, answer all manner of stupid questions, clean up the clients' messes, supervise the running of the camp, entertain into the evening or wee hours depending on clients' proclivities, supervise preparations for the next day, deal with all imaginable means of incompetence by staff, government regulation, etc. and do it all over again tomorrow. And, be expected to do all this in good humour for $200 a day and tips.

I don't know how they do it. Why they do it obviously, is not for the money. It is incredible that they would embark on such a mission for $200 a day (and I've heard figures even lower).

I get the whole -- "What the market will bear" mentality, but these guys are doing this for a different reason. I wish I had had the guts to do the same when I was younger, but I didn't and now I'm stuck on the corporate treadmill.

I'd just say you might want to think about that when you decide on your tip. $100 a day seems pretty paltry if your PH worked hard and did a good job.

TZ - PH Salary and expenses breakdown as a brief comparison to ZIM.
Annual salary: $ 32,000 - $39,000(Based on 130 days/ annum @ average $ 250/300/ day)
Average tips @ $ 100/ day: $ 13,000
Total income: $ 45,500 -$ 52,000
Annual expenses
Figures are based on a married PH with 1 child in either junior or high school and living in a rented house:
Junior/High School fees: $17,000 - $23,000 / annum
Vehicle insurance: ( 2 x Third Party ) $ 100/ annum
Family Medical aid: (local) $ 1,000/ annum
House Rent: ( 12 x $ 1,500 ) $ 18,000/ annum
Staff pay: ( 3 x $ 120/ month ) $ 4,320/ annum
PH licence: $ 3,000/ annum
TALA licence: $ 2,000/ annum
Phone: ( 2 x $ 100/ month ) $ 2 400/ annum
Internet: ( 3 x $ 40/ month ) $ 1,440/ annum
TV: ( $ 80/ month ) $ 960/ annum Satellite phone: $200/annum (minimum)
Basic living expenses: (food/ drink @ $ 1,500/ month ) $ 18,000/ annum
Fuel: Private consumption ( based on 2 vehicles @ $ 300/ month ) $ 3,600/ annum
Basic Vehicle servicing: $ 1,000/ annum
Electricity: ( $ 400/ month ) $ 4,800/ annum
Water $ 100/ month ) $ 1,200/ annum

Total Expenses: By FAR outweigh the Income !
Unaccounted expenses:
- Basic annual break for the family (approx. $3,000)
- Unforeseen breakdowns (can be costly )
- Generator fuel and maintenance ( frequent power cuts): average $30/day. To be borne in mind that TZ has a 6 month hunting season and that its PHs are permanent residents who do not conduct hunts beyond its borders. It goes without saying that they are obliged to find other ways and means of supporting themselves.
If I am wrong in my calculations please do not hesitate to ask for clarification.

PH"s are permanent residents? things must have changed since i hunted in the Selous about 10 years ago. all 3 PH's were from Zim. it was the last hunt of the season and i was the last guy to leave camp. all 3 guys were about to bust a gut to leave and drive 2 days to get home

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
PH"s are permanent residents? things must have changed since i hunted in the Selous about 10 years ago. all 3 PH's were from Zim. it was the last hunt of the season and i was the last guy to leave camp. all 3 guys were about to bust a gut to leave and drive 2 days to get home

The TZ ones are - the imported lot also have to pay for a resident permit over and above the PH licence.

The preceding figures are for those living in TZ so the Zimbos are exonerated.

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
This post will not win me many friends but here's the reality from my side of the pond.

I wish I could work 130 days a year and make a living.

I work no less than 240 days a year. That allows me to save via frugality so I can now provide someone in Africa every other year with some of his 130 days.

I guess I'm getting a bit worn out with talks of liability, income, insurance, and expenses as it relates to African hunting.

I have to call you out on that one. You know that if you worked 130 days at 18 hours on the clock, plus 6 hours on-call in your line of work you could sure as heck get by at the level Martin outlines.

How many PH's could "save via frugality" and spend $25k to hunt every other year? Answer: very few.

Let's be blunt for a moment. It is a very bad idea for ANYONE to rely on the liability insurance of anyone else. This won't make me popular but PHs either need to collectively and efficiently buy insurance from a third party or better yet have ZPHGA organize self-insurance by adding a small fee to every safari corresponding to the number of days hunted....or they need to stop complaining. I, for one, think it is inappropriate (and more than a bit disingenuous) for ZPHGA to publicly note that Stu is in bad financial shape because he lost 75K in income this year and then plead uninsurability while using a much lower set of income numbers on this thread. Yes, Tim should make things right with Stu, yes the whole situation sucks, yes Tim and others are trying to help...but if ZPHGA really wants to help its members over the long term it will try to SOLVE the problem and not simply note how its own members can't afford ONE of what are probably several possible solutions.

Think these figures are bad, try being a Farmer here in AUS !!

So am I correct, based on the assertations of the posts above, that no matter whether in Zim or TZ, your "average" PH is actually paying to go hunting with his clients?
Tell us another one......
JCHB

quote:

Originally posted by tendrams:
Let's be blunt for a moment. It is a very bad idea for ANYONE to rely on the liability insurance of anyone else. This won't make me popular but PHs either need to collectively and efficiently buy insurance from a third party or better yet have ZPHGA organize self-insurance by adding a small fee to every safari corresponding to the number of days hunted....or they need to stop complaining. I, for one, think it is inappropriate (and more than a bit disingenuous) for ZPHGA to publicly note that Stu is in bad financial shape because he lost 75K in income this year and then plead uninsurability while using a much lower set of income numbers on this thread. Yes, Tim should make things right with Stu, yes the whole situation sucks, yes Tim and others are trying to help...but if ZPHGA really wants to help its members over the long term it will try to SOLVE the problem and not simply note how its own members can't afford ONE of what are probably several possible solutions.

+1

quote:

Originally posted by 505 gibbs:
damn, maybe I don't tip enough?

Some might believe that's exactly what the post is getting at...

Grown men make choices, and have to live with them, or they can try to do something different. I'm not unsympathetic to any man that has a tough time making ends meet, but the crying poor mouth is a bit much, IMHO. No one's forcing a man to stay a PH, if their income isn't enough for them, for whatever reason, to make a living.

quote:

Originally posted by JCHB:
So am I correct, based on the assertations of the posts above, that no matter whether in Zim or TZ, your "average" PH is actually paying to go hunting with his clients?
Tell us another one......
JCHB

What is it that doesn't convince you when it has been made clear that "It goes without saying that they are obliged to find other ways and means of supporting themselves"?.

Some may be involved in farming, others may switch to photographic safaris, might even be a few living of the earnings of a "high born lady" but they certainly don't make ends meet with 130/150 working days in the field.

Think what you like!

Most of us couldn't make ends meet if we worked 130-150 days a year either.

In the US the average household income is around $55,000/annum and we have approx. 260 working days in the year. $55,000/260 = $211.54. So the average US household roughly makes the same per day as a PH in Zim before taxes. Tax rate, depending on deductions, for that income bracket would be between 20 & 30% so in actuality they would bring home about $158/day using a 25% tax bracket. Lot of families make it work on that and some on less.

It's obvious, if the costs Mart provided are true and I have no reason to doubt it, then they lose money every year and must have another job or some other means of income. Otherwise they would be in the hole and couldnt stay afloat more than a year or two and have to take on secondary work as they said.

As a cost model, say their secondary source of income pays only $100/day and with 130 working days left, that an additional $13,000 a year. Looking at it like this:

PH Pay: $200x130= $26,000
Tips: $100x130 = $13,000
Secondary Income: $100x130 = $13,000

Total: $52,000

Right smack in the middle of Middle Class America right there, hardly getting rich but a long way from the poverty level as we know it in the US.

Martin and others, please correct my figures if they are wrong and offer any additional info. I find this look into the costs of being a PH very interesting.

Thanks!

Adam

Adamhunter:

The next client that comes along is going to be told there will be either half or no hunting time on Saturday and definitely a relaxing day on Sunday

The only time the PH gets a break is when the client says so, otherwise its 16-18 hours in the saddle, much like your average middle class American

My friend, the tourist industry knows no holidays!
(nor that of a serious farmer or any other hard-working, cash strapped, family conscious individual)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by fujotupu:
Adamhunter:

The next client that comes along is going to be told there will be either half or no hunting time on Saturday and definitely a relaxing day on Sunday

Dang right my friend! Tell those rich bastards you ain't gonna take it!!!

My friend, the tourist industry knows no holidays!
(nor that of a serious farmer or any other hard-working, cash strapped, family conscious individual

+1:

While I make a living that has allowed me to take a couple of nice hunting trips in Africa (can't afford Tanz though ) I do work hard, just as I suspect most people that post on this forum do...PH's included!!

I am a single dad to 2 kids earning about $42000 before taxes in a high cost/tax country like Norway.
So even if I have the social security to fall back on here, I don't think I feel to sorry for a PH that is able to do something he loves for about 130 days a year

The only exception would be when you need to put up with some a**hole clients that I am sure you encounter now and then.

quote:

Originally posted by Kamo Gari:

Grown men make choices, and have to live with them, or they can try to do something different. I'm not unsympathetic to any man that has a tough time making ends meet, but the crying poor mouth is a bit much, IMHO. No one's forcing a man to stay a PH, if their income isn't enough for them, for whatever reason, to make a living.

That pretty much sums it up. I also have a hard time buying all the "facts and figures" that have been thrown around. I will concede that being a PH is not necessarily the quickest or most direct road to financial independence -- and that is a serious understatement. I will also concede that most undoubtedly do it because they love hunting, being outdoors, having the flexibility that working 130-170 days a year in the field brings, etc. All that said, I am not prepared to accept that smart, rational people work under conditions where their expenses exceed their revenues, even doing something they love. To suggest that each day, each week, each month and each year that they work they go deeper and deeper into debt with no prospect to recover defies logic and common sense.

My suspicion is that there are other sources of revenue that have been omitted from the "facts and figures" that come from other jobs and other areas, be it photographic safaris, farming, other ventures, etc. It would be like a school teacher saying they lose money teaching school when they ignore the fact that while they are off for three months each year they work at another job. One has to look at the whole picture, not bits and pieces.

Do not get me wrong, I think PHs are resourceful, hard working, dedicated professionals that by and large do what they do because they love it, not to get rich -- just like policemen, fireman, school teachers and others.

Interesting that Martin quoted $39,000 in this thread but quoted $75,000 annually for Stu Taylor.

I personally do not know. What I do know is that I tip a LOT more than quoted in this thread. I can think of st least 3 PH's who have told me they made far more than $39,000 a year. Many if not most of would have difficulty if we only worked the number of days quoted in this thread.

Regardless , not the best way to be a 1 percenter.

quote:

Originally posted by fujotupu:

quote:

Originally posted by JCHB:
So am I correct, based on the assertations of the posts above, that no matter whether in Zim or TZ, your "average" PH is actually paying to go hunting with his clients?
Tell us another one......
JCHB

What is it that doesn't convince you when it has been made clear that "It goes without saying that they are obliged to find other ways and means of supporting themselves"?.

Some may be involved in farming, others may switch to photographic safaris, might even be a few living of the earnings of a "high born lady" but they certainly don't make ends meet with 130/150 working days in the field.

Think what you like!

It is exactly the same over here in North America. Guides only work for a period of weeks to perhaps 4 months, depending on the area. The rest of the year they have to find another job. And there are many guides working for outfitters that are only making $125 to $150 a day. I know guides working for whitetail deer outfitters who make $150 per day including using their truck. Outfitter buys fuel but big deal........ that does not pay for the hard miles on the equipment.

This is why so many leave the 'profession' eventually they have to get a real job that pays the bills all year, as there are not a whole lot of employers around that will let their employees leave for a few months to guide and then return.

Anyone else find this thread as enlightening and disheartening as I do?

quote:

Originally posted by fujotupu:
Adamhunter:

The next client that comes along is going to be told there will be either half or no hunting time on Saturday and definitely a relaxing day on Sunday

And perhaps I will really only tip at that $100/day amount that Martin suggested because that is far below the amount most that I know who hunt Africa give especially on a dangerous game hunt.

IMHO personal income figures should never have been posted PERIOD. All it did was open up the ENTIRE PH community to the feelings reflected on some of the posts in this thread.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Anyone else find this thread as enlightening and disheartening as I do?

1+

[/QUOTE]IMHO personal income figures should never have been posted PERIOD. All it did was open up the ENTIRE PH community to the feelings reflected on some of the posts in this thread.[/QUOTE]

Jim,

I could not agree more. Additionally I find someone trying to prove to me how poor they are equally as distasteful and uncomfortable as someone bragging about how much money they have.

Mark

I am finding this very funny, maybe not intended to be, but it is. The value of the information here is just what you have paid for it - nothing. It reminds me of a man that said to me Mr X does this and that on his tax return. I bit my tongue and say nothing because I prepared Mr X's return and know he DID NOT do this and that on the return.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Most of us couldn't make ends meet if we worked 130-150 days a year either.

+1

On a side note and unrelated, I was recently talking to a young doctor who was complaining about his pay. Turns out his contract and pay were based upon approximately 170 working days per year. When I asked him why he didn't work more shifts if he wanted more pay, he just shrugged and said he enjoyed his time off. Kids these days ....

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

quote:

Originally posted by Kamo Gari:

Grown men make choices, and have to live with them, or they can try to do something different. I'm not unsympathetic to any man that has a tough time making ends meet, but the crying poor mouth is a bit much, IMHO. No one's forcing a man to stay a PH, if their income isn't enough for them, for whatever reason, to make a living.

That pretty much sums it up. I also have a hard time buying all the "facts and figures" that have been thrown around. I will concede that being a PH is not necessarily the quickest or most direct road to financial independence -- and that is a serious understatement. I will also concede that most undoubtedly do it because they love hunting, being outdoors, having the flexibility that working 130-170 days a year in the field brings, etc. All that said, I am not prepared to accept that smart, rational people work under conditions where their expenses exceed their revenues, even doing something they love. To suggest that each day, each week, each month and each year that they work they go deeper and deeper into debt with no prospect to recover defies logic and common sense.

My suspicion is that there are other sources of revenue that have been omitted from the "facts and figures" that come from other jobs and other areas, be it photographic safaris, farming, other ventures, etc. It would be like a school teacher saying they lose money teaching school when they ignore the fact that while they are off for three months each year they work at another job. One has to look at the whole picture, not bits and pieces.

Do not get me wrong, I think PHs are resourceful, hard working, dedicated professionals that by and large do what they do because they love it, not to get rich -- just like policemen, fireman, school teachers and others.

That pretty much sums it up.

Policemen, firemen, teachers may not get "rich" but their pensions are not too bad. Say a husband & wife teach and retire with their SS and Public Pension about $100,000 a year.

What PHs earn in Zim or anywhere else has absolutely nothing to do with clients, but has everything to do with the systems in the respective countries. I personally love doing what I do and would not change it for any other job, even if it meant earning double or triple the amount. Would I like to earn more doing what I do? yes, who wouldn't? As a bachelor I didn't care or put much thought into life insurance, wills, etc, but since having tied the knot I have had myself insured. it's not cheap, but I do sleep better at night. I consider myself blessed with everything I have, where I live and what I do. I am also fortunate that I can hunt in other countries, whereas a lot of PHs in Zim, just hunt in Zim. Too many people look at what they don't have, instead of looking at what they actually have. ( that's not directed to anyone in paticular by the way )Just my 2 cents.

Teachers don't do bad, I know, I'm married to one. Her hourly is pretty good, even after the unpaid hours she has to put in to be a good teacher (work at home, before and after school etc.) It doesn't mean there isn't a lot screwed up about the school system here and the crap teachers have to do, just means it's not as bad as it's been made out to be. (in fact my wife has never complained about the amount that I can remember). she usually works 180-184 days by the way

It is good to read this and put it in perspective. I think about buddies that work those 240 days so that they can hunt during the other 100 days FOR FREE or PAYING to hunt.

I couldn't cover my bills on 130 days work either. I'm sure the guys that stay with it (PH) do so because they feel that the pay is worth it for what they're doing. most people don't get to do something they enjoy, and even the best jobs sometimes have bad days or a**hole clients/coworkers.

it is always interesting to see how the other guys live, understand other people's situations. Sadly the days, even in America, of one person working and the other one staying home (50's-60's) are gone. I don't know many people that can afford for just one person to work.

I'd love it though if my wife became and administrator and I could just work part time doing something fun, build hotrods, make knives (yes, I've told her that, for years)

Red

quote:

Originally posted by LHO:

quote:

Originally posted by tendrams:
Let's be blunt for a moment. It is a very bad idea for ANYONE to rely on the liability insurance of anyone else. This won't make me popular but PHs either need to collectively and efficiently buy insurance from a third party or better yet have ZPHGA organize self-insurance by adding a small fee to every safari corresponding to the number of days hunted....or they need to stop complaining. I, for one, think it is inappropriate (and more than a bit disingenuous) for ZPHGA to publicly note that Stu is in bad financial shape because he lost 75K in income this year and then plead uninsurability while using a much lower set of income numbers on this thread. Yes, Tim should make things right with Stu, yes the whole situation sucks, yes Tim and others are trying to help...but if ZPHGA really wants to help its members over the long term it will try to SOLVE the problem and not simply note how its own members can't afford ONE of what are probably several possible solutions.

+1

Maybe the insurance industry in the First World is easier to work with and delivers more...
I live in South Africa, I am a professional person with two degrees and self employed, I am an amateur hunter that spend approximately 30 days a year hunting.
Some of my hunting is self-guided and some is through the same outfitters that foreign hunters would use. Some is for dangerous game but most of it is not.

In setting up my personal insurance in case of death and disability/income protection I had HUGE issues.

I accurately informed the insurer of my activities to AVOID problems should I be killed or injured while hunting. They flatly refused any cover whilst hunting(according to them even impala ewes are too risky). Then the arguments started, does this include a motor vehicle accident from Harare to the concession, does this include falling from the Cruiser and breaking a leg, does this include being injured by a hippo while hunting for elephant? They couldn't give me straight answers on questions like that. None of the big 3 insurers in South Africa would insure me while hunting.

Eventually I managed to work my way to the 3rd in charge of the company. We had a long discussion and I managed to convince him that I was safer hunting animals than being guided by some idiot ex-city slicker photographic guide with a gun in Kruger National Park, or riding motorbikes or flying helicopters or any of the other adrenaline sports that they do cover. Together with the fact that I take a crap load of responsibility for other peoples lives on a daily basis convinced him to give me a waiver.

Still the waiver has a price of $100 a month on top of my insurance premium. None of my friends who are PH's have insurance cover whilst hunting, maybe there are some that do? Not sure how many has read the fine print.

The expense figures that Mart gave look very realistic to me from the southern bank of the Limpopo, Zim is more expensive than SA for a lot of stuff. Take into account that a Land Cruiser truck on the showroom floor is in the region of $50 000. Credit on that vehicle would be cheap at 8.5% per annum. $40 000 in SA is not a comfortable middle class income, in Africa you pay taxes and then pay again for private contractors to deliver the services you should have received from your taxes. However a PH is a big boy and they make their own decisions as to what vocation they should follow. Most that I know PH in conjunction with some other business or part time job.

I am gratefull that they are willing to make the sacrifice and take the risks involved to offer hunters the wonderfull experience reflected under the trip reports on this forum, and live out their own passion in a way.

One has to remember that for many of them your trophy is closest that they will ever come to hunting that species. The days of cheap citizen hunting permits and opportunities in Africa is dead. There is more potential hunters than animals available and the cost of hunting reflects that supply and demand scenario. It may very well be that your professional hunter has never hunted a kudu or buffalo of his own and knows that he will never be able to afford it. I hunted with a PH in Zim who had a very simple dream, he wished to hunt a trophy kudu bull of his own. I hope that I can indulge him at some stage.

My wife has worked in my office during tax season(last 20 yrs) but other wise she is in the home and she was in the home full time prior to our kids going to college. Maybe that is why I didn't get to africa until my 7th decade.

quote:

Originally posted by Thierry Labat:
What PHs earn in Zim or anywhere else has absolutely nothing to do with clients, but has everything to do with the systems in the respective countries. I personally love doing what I do and would not change it for any other job, even if it meant earning double or triple the amount. Would I like to earn more doing what I do? yes, who wouldn't? As a bachelor I didn't care or put much thought into life insurance, wills, etc, but since having tied the knot I have had myself insured. it's not cheap, but I do sleep better at night. I consider myself blessed with everything I have, where I live and what I do. I am also fortunate that I can hunt in other countries, whereas a lot of PHs in Zim, just hunt in Zim. Too many people look at what they don't have, instead of looking at what they actually have. ( that's not directed to anyone in paticular by the way )Just my 2 cents.

Well said Thierry!

I’d like think no one here would begrudge a PH if he could make more money. I certainly would not. My posts were merely me voicing what I suspect; a PH’s income is wholly average by American standards. I never thought it had anything to do with clients. After all, if you and I agree to a price for a safari, a daily rate or a trophy fee or whatever, what you take home from that is really not any of my business. I would hope it would be fair for both parties. I’d like to think others see it the same way but business being business, I know there are some that don’t.

I have learned a lot from this thread, mostly which this is a labor of love for the PH’s and is a profession I would not choose for myself and not because of the pay (or lack thereof)

My hat goes off to all of you

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Most of us couldn't make ends meet if we worked 130-150 days a year either.

This keeps coming up any the guys who are posting it are either dishonest, ignorant or just plain stupid. Do you guys realize that PHs work what amounts to 24 hour shifts?

Stop and think about it: PHs work 16 hours a day and are on call for the other 8. Also, they are away form home the entire time they are working. They work about 130 days a year to make $45k or 175 days to make $60k, with no retirement and no medical insurance.

Compare this to firefighters here in the US. They work 24 hour shifts also. Their shifts amount to 2-4 hours of work and 20-22 hours on call. They work 120 days a year and make $70k with full medical benefits and retirement that amounts to +- $50k a year at 60 years of age.