Bartlett seeks better deal for tourism workers
Published:Friday | January 24, 2025 | 12:05 AMJanet Silvera/Gleaner Writer
Madrid, Spain:
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says that going forward, Jamaican tourism workers will now receive their non-taxable gratuity in full, along with improved access to housing, professional development, and retirement security.
The announcement followed a key meeting between Bartlett and Inverotel, one of the largest Spanish hotel investment groups, on the skirting of the International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR) in Madrid, Spain, on Wednesday.
Bartlett described the discussions as pivotal to enhancing labour market arrangements for Jamaica’s tourism workforce, which he referred to as “the backbone of Jamaica’s tourism sector”.
Inverotel, a powerful consortium with 18 member hotel chains operating approximately 100,000 rooms across the Americas and the Caribbean, has committed to a multifaceted plan benefiting Jamaican tourism workers.
The members of Inverotel include Riu Hotels & Resorts, Princess Hotels and Resorts, Catalonia Hotels and Resorts, Grupo Pinero, H10 Resorts, and the Palladium Hotel Group.
“The discussions focused on a comprehensive plan to address three critical areas: housing accessibility, professional development through training, and retirement security,” stated a release from the Ministry of Tourism.
Bartlett emphasised the significance of this initiative, saying, “Our tourism workers are the heart and soul of Jamaica’s hospitality sector. This initiative represents the commitment of our largest investors to our workers’ well-being and professional growth, ensuring a sustainable future for both our employees and the sector.”
Yesterday, Janice Allen, opposition spokesperson on tourism, said the announcement by the Government that taxes would be removed from gratuities paid to tourism workers was a long-overdue step in the right direction.
“I have been consistent in my calls for the removal of these taxes, recognising the severe hardship they placed on our hard-working tourism workers, many of whom struggle to make ends meet despite being the backbone of our world-class industry,” she said.
“On numerous occasions, my recommendation was scoffed at by Government ministers, who suggested I did not understand the industry. Now, today, we see the Government has reversed course and adopted the very measure they dismissed.”
She added that while welcoming the decision, it was clear that the Government had only acted after intense pressure, “because we in the PNP (People’s National Party) were clear and intent on implementing the reversal, knowing it is what is right for tourism workers”.
She questioned, however, when the removal of the tax would take effect.
“Is this just another announcement by the Government or the minister? Will this be another instance where a call I made is echoed without clarity on when it will be implemented and when workers will actually see the difference in their pockets?”
Bartlett is leading a small delegation of tourism officials at FITUR 2025, which has drawn representation from 152 countries.
The annual strategic meeting follows a series of strikes by Jamaican hotel workers late last year that threatened to disrupt the lifeblood industry. The workers complained of long working hours, low wages, and poor communication by their bosses.
THE 3 CRITICAL AREAS IN PLAN FOR HOTEL WORKERS
1. Affordable Housing Solutions: Enabling tourism workers to access housing that meets their needs.
2. Professional Excellence Initiative: Implementing comprehensive training programmes aligned with international hospitality standards, offering industry-recognised certifications, career-advancement opportunities, and skill development.
3. Retirement Security: Full gratuity payments and support for participation in the Tourism Workers Pension Scheme to ensure social security during retirement.