Senator Janice Allen, the People’s National Party (PNP opposition spokesperson on tourism is today (May 12) calling on Minister Edmund Bartlett, to ‘lead the charge’ on behalf of the recovering industry to get the Government to urgently resolve the impasse with the air traffic controllers (ATCs).  

In a statement on Thursday, Senator Allen said “The ATCs make up a critical sector in the tourism industry and we can’t do without them.  Whatever the matters are they must be addressed with urgency”.

Allen noted that tourists had to scramble to leave Jamaica this morning and all incoming flights are now cancelled.

The opposition spokeswoman further argued that as the tourism industry is trying to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, it cannot now afford any further disruptions.  

The Andrew Holness administration, however, has been found wanting by Jamaican Government workers, with the air traffic controllers being the second group this week to walk away from official duties in protest against the State.

“This Government has consistently shown a lack of regard for workers, but the industry cannot survive without the workers as the big companies alone cannot do it”, she said.

Allen contended that “people wanted open and frank conversation with humility, so their issues can be heard”, adding there was “no way Jamaica could add new flights and have more hotel construction, if workers who provide essential services are not trained and their welfare issues taken care of”. 

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