JAMAICA – Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding, is calling for the Government to immediately address the systemic issues in the tourism industry that have led to a series of strikes over the past weeks. On Monday line staff at Excellence Oyster Bay Resort in Coopers Pen, Trelawny, walked off the job protesting low wages, lack of overtime pay and lack of job security. Their strike followed others at Royalton Negril and Iberostar and Breathless resorts in St James.

Golding asserted in a media release on Tuesday that the ongoing unrest in the tourism sector is a direct result of poor governance. “For too long, the Minister of Tourism has neglected the critical needs of the local industry. The high cost of living, inadequate transportation and poor road conditions have placed tremendous pressure on hotel operators and workers, bringing the situation to a boiling point,” he said.

“It is disrespectful to the serious concerns of tourism workers to suggest that they are being politically manipulated when they take action to have their grievances addressed. Instead of the Prime Minister seeking to ‘pass the buck’ by blaming the People’s National Party for current unrest in the sector, he should take responsibility for failing to address these issues in the sector over the past nine years,” he added.

Golding reiterated his call for the Government to establish a Joint Council as a robust mechanism for constructive dialogue to protect the rights of tourism workers and uphold the Decent Work Agenda of the International Labour Organization. He is also calling for a comprehensive analysis of the industry as a matter of urgency, and a cohesive response from the ministries of labour, tourism and transport to address the challenges facing the sector. (Jamaica-Gleaner)

Photo: Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding.