Following an upsurge of demonstrations by hotel workers over claims of inadequate pay and poor working conditions, among other issues, Prime Minister Andrew Holness is insisting that grievances cannot be allowed to crash the industry.
Speaking at a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) meeting in Portmore, St Catherine on Sunday night, Holness argued that as tourism expands, the workers warrant proper remuneration.
"We can't allow grievances in the natural process of adjustments in a growing sector to derail the sector," Holness declared.
"Tourism is growing and expanding and adjusting. The workers, they are justified in also seeking their own household and their own remuneration and their benefits to grow in proportion with the growth and development of the industry.
“This Administration respects the workers, we hear their plight, we understand their issues," he added.
He said Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has been tasked "to bring the sector together to have real dialogue about how we are going to ensure that our workers in the tourism industry, that they are happy."
The prime minister was reacting to demonstrations, firstly at Royalton Negril in late October, then workers at Secrets and Breathless resorts in Montego Bay, St James last Tuesday; followed by a similar industrial action by workers at Iberostar, also in St James, on Friday.
On Monday, the trend continued at Excellence Oyster Bay in Trelawny, where workers hit out against inadequate salaries, among other issues.
Negril hotelier Richard Wallace argued that, "what is happening is good".
"It's good because in every case that I have seen so far the hotel management have met the demands of the workers. So obviously their conditions are better. I was at Royalton when the minister [of tourism] went up there, that was the first strike; and they got raise of pay, they got better food in their canteen, they (employers) started treating them better. Wallace told Loop News.
He further argued that the sector is at a turning point in what is happening with tourism workers.
"It started a while ago. Because of the shortage of workers, it has created a better situation for tourism workers, meaning they are more in demand. They are offered higher wages, they are treated better. And it's just a natural process that will happen over time.
Tourism workers protesting outside Secrets Resorts in Montego Bay, St James last Tuesday.
“It started before the strikes," Wallace argued.
He opined that the bad treatment that has been meted out by some arrogant managers is a part of the current problem.
The former president of the Negril Chamber of Commerce was, however, quick to highlight that "hotel workers must understand that they must provide a minimum amount of productivity to justify their salaries.
"There are some who are not trained to the level, and they are not professional enough, not productive enough, yet they are demanding the best salaries and the highest this and the highest that. That doesn't work in the real world," said Wallace.
Following Friday's protest by Iberostar workers, Senior Advisor and Strategist in the Ministry of Tourism, Delano Seiveright, encouraged open and honest dialogue between staff and management at all levels to promptly address the concerns.
"Nonetheless, investments in the tourism sector have created thousands of jobs, opened countless opportunities, and consistently generates significant foreign exchange and revenue for Jamaica. These investments sustain the livelihoods of many, and we must protect and nurture this delicate balance as we move forward. We understand the times and some of the manoeuvres, so it’s important that everyone is reminded of this balance... we cannot cut off wi nose fi spite wi face," Seiveright warned.
President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Robin Russell, also acknowledged the need for ongoing dialogue and understanding between tourism employers and their valued workers.
"Notwithstanding, where specific disagreements may arise in relation to any and all working conditions, there must always be a willingness by the parties to ensure a positive outcome for all," Russell said in a JHTA release.
