Back on the job

Western Bureau:

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is reporting the full resumption of work at the Secrets and Breathless resorts in Montego Bay, St James, after the hotels faced turmoil Tuesday when staff staged a protest, demanding relief from what they claimed were oppressive conditions.

In a release yesterday afternoon, the ministry said senior officials from its Industrial Relations Department convened a meeting with 25 worker representatives and the management team at Secrets and Breathless, which resulted in a return to normalcy.

“The ministry provided clarification on issues related to sick leave and other related concerns. At the end of today’s meeting, a number of issues were resolved and a clear direction agreed for continued dialogue on other concerns, including salary matters,” the labour ministry stated in its release.

It further stated that management and staff agreed on a structured standard set of meetings, the first of which will be held on November 20, to arrive at a standard comparative wage package across the hotel. The parties have also agreed to a general staff meeting to discuss the hotel’s change of ownership.

“The staff representatives and management indicated that they were satisfied with the outcome of the meeting and expressed their appreciation to the ministry’s team for their involvement and continued monitoring of the situation,” the ministry added.

In weighing in on the situation, Labour Minister Pearnel Charles Jr, who was not at the meeting, was quoted emphasising the importance of workers and management finding ways to address issues with the potential to become contentious.

“[There is a] need for management and staff to continue the dialogue and for there to be an internal mechanism set up for stronger ventilation of issues at an early stage so that they can have amicable resolutions and settlements,” said Charles, who reportedly described the meeting as being very progressive and who expressed appreciation to both parties for their willingness to have discussions, and, more importantly, for their willingness to arrive at solutions.

‘We feel like slaves’

During Tuesday’s protest, the employees of Secrets and Breathless complained about having to work long hours without being paid overtime, delays in getting their wages, and the uncaring attitude of management, which made them feel like their service was not respected.

“We feel like slaves, working from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. without any remunerations,” said one worker, who shared that having to stand up for long hours on the job, a colleague ruptured a vein in her foot and was forced to have surgery at a cost of $640,000.

“We are short-staffed, and most of who they give us have no experience, so I can’t just leave them alone,” said the veteran employee of 14 years’ experience, who said she did not even know the new general manager, who was described as not someone who related to the staff.

The Secrets and Breathless protest followed similar strike action on National Heroes Day when 200 militant workers at Royalton Negril demanded better wages, better working conditions, and the removal of the general manager. Royalton Negril’s overseas-based owner flew into the island, and following a series of meetings, including one that included Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, the general manager was suspended and other concerns of the workers addressed.

Yesterday’s work resumption also came after a letter from St Patrice Ennis, president of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU), addressed to Charles Jr and copied to Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett on Tuesday, in which he expressed “deep concern” regarding the ongoing challenges facing workers in the hotel industry.

“Recent events, including the strikes at Royalton and Secrets hotels, have highlighted significant issues regarding the treatment of hotel workers who have reported being overworked and underpaid. These issues are creating distress and discontent within the workforce, which directly impacts the well-being of the workers and the stability of the industry,” Ennis wrote.

He said the JCTU recognised the importance of the tourism sector to Jamaica’s economy and its reliance on the efforts of hotel staff across the country.

“It is our firm belief that fair and equitable working conditions are essential to sustaining both employee satisfaction and service quality in the industry. Therefore, we respectfully request a meeting with you to discuss these matters in greater depth and to explore potential collaborative solutions.”

Ennis, in his communication, said the JCTU was proposing the establishment of a joint industrial council for the tourism industry, which he said could be instrumental in ensuring that hotel workers’ rights are adequately protected, that fair labour practices are upheld, and that a framework for swiftly addressing disputes is developed.

“This collaborative body could also serve as an important step toward improving standards across the hotel industry, providing workers with more secure and supportive employment conditions. This council would consist of Government of Jamaica, possibly represented by the Jamaica Tourist Board, member unions of the JCTU, and representatives of the owners of the hotels,” Ennis said.

“We are committed to fostering a sustainable and prosperous tourism industry that honours the rights of its workforce. We believe that a cooperative approach with the ministry can help address the grievances of hotel workers and create a balanced pathway forward for all parties involved.”

The labour ministry, in its statement, did not indicate whether any of the JCTU’s proposals had been taken on board.

editorial@gleanerjm.com