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JAM | Nov 25, 2024

PNP’s Dr Ryan Simpson says hotels should increase wages by 100%

/ Our Today

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Dr Ryan Simpson

In the midst of recent protests by hotel staff in Jamaica, the People’s National Party’s MP candidate for North East St Ann has weighed in on the demonstrations.

Dr Simpson has stated that at the current calculation, essential workers in Jamaica’s hotels earn approximately US$2 per hour.

He states that a 100% increase would put them under US$5 per hour, significantly less than the American minimum wage.

Dr Simpson says that Jamaica earned US$4 billion last year citing Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett.

Dr Simpson says Jamaica’s cost of living is rivaling that of the United States and this puts pressure on Jamaican hotel workers and their households.

He adds that Jamaicans’ electricity bills have skyrocketed since the passing of Hurricane Beryl on July 3. He further states that transportation costs for the hotel staff in his constituency are high for the ones living in rural communities.

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Dr Ryan Simpson People's National Party Royalton tourism workers

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