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By Kimone Witter
Opposition Leader Mark Golding says government should immediately address the systemic employment issues in the tourism industry that have led to a series of strikes instead of pointing fingers to suggest political manipulation.
Mr. Golding was responding to a comment from Prime Minister Andrew Holness who said there are people who maliciously agitate and incite unrest across the sector.
But the Opposition Leader says the ongoing unrest is a direct result of poor governance.
"It is frankly 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 the current unrest in the sector, he should take responsibility for failing to address these issues in the sector over the last nine years," Mr. Golding hit back.
He promised that the PNP will continue to advocate for the protection of workers' rights and the establishment of mechanisms to ensure a sustainable and harmonious tourism sector.
Mr. Golding has given his support to the call for the government to establish a Joint Council to facilitate constructive dialogue to protect the rights of tourism works and uphold the Decent Work Agenda of the International Labour Organization.
He is also encouraging a comprehensive analysis of the tourism industry as a matter of urgency, as well as a cohesive response from the ministries of labour, tourism and transport to address the challenges facing the sector.
"The government must listen to the voices of the workers. We must work collaboratively to ensure the tourism industry remains a vital contributor to Jamaica's economy while safeguarding the dignity and well-being of those who drive its success," he noted.
Trade union representation
President of the Union of Clerical Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE), Vincent Morrison, is in agreement that the industrial action by hotel workers is not good for the tourism industry.
But he is anticipating further disruption as the methodology being used to bring about resolution is not long term.
He has suggested that a policy be instituted to facilitate trade union representation.
"When you, the Minister, or the strategist, or whatever you call yourself, have to be going into the hotel one by one, it means that there is a gap; there is a gap and it won't take long for that trust gap to be expanded. What the government must do is say to the Minister of Labour, the workers have been crying out for trade union representation," he suggested.
Mr. Morrison argued that employers in the hotel sector have taken over the role of the union, and they are not doing a good job.
The union representative has also dismissed as "absolute nonsense" the suggestion that the opposition People's National Party is instigating the protests across the hotel sector.
"I noticed that Prime Minister Holness has a penchant to push the blame on his political opposition when these matters arise. I can tell you that the opposition has nothing to do with this protest," he insisted.
But Mr. Morrison also chided the opposition, noting that their presence is not being felt.
"I am criticising the opposition in the sense that I thought, and I know that when I joined the union years ago, that the opposition would have been here for the workers, signing them up and handing them over to the union. That was the pattern. They are not even there [now]."
Mr. Morrison was responding to Jodi-Ann Quarrie, host of the Morning Agenda, on Power 106.
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