JAMAICA | Tourism Workers' Crisis: Opposition Demands Action on Royalton Negril Labor Dispute

KINGSTON, Jamaica,  October 22, 2024 - Opposition Spokesman on Labour Wavell Hinds has thrown his weight behind protesting workers at Royalton Negril, highlighting what he calls a systemic crisis in Jamaica's tourism sector where workers face "inadequate pay, overwork, and mistreatment."

In a blistering statement issued Tuesday, Hinds took aim at the persistent labor issues plaguing the hospitality industry, particularly focusing on allegations of unpaid overtime and excessive working hours at the popular resort.

"These hard-working Jamaicans are the backbone of our tourism industry," Hinds declared, "and it is disheartening to hear of the persistent issues of inadequate pay, overwork, and mistreatment that continue to plague the sector."

The Opposition Spokeman's intervention comes amid growing concerns about labor practices in Jamaica's crucial tourism industry. Hinds specifically called out Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, demanding immediate intervention in the dispute.

"Two days off and an eight-hour work shift should be the standard, not the exception," Hinds emphasized, pointing to what he describes as fundamental workplace rights being denied to hotel staff.

The labor crisis at Royalton Negril has broader implications for Jamaica's hospitality sector, according to Hinds, who stressed the "urgent need for stronger representation and unionisation within the hospitality industry to ensure that workers' rights are protected and their voices are heard."

Calling for decisive action, Hinds urged both government and employers to "create a fair and just environment for those who dedicate their time and energy to making Jamaica's tourism industry thrive."

The Opposition Spokeman has pledged to continue advocating for workers' rights, insisting that authorities take immediate steps to resolve the ongoing dispute and ensure proper compensation and treatment for tourism sector employees.

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