Tourism minister calls emergency meeting with Royalton Negril’s management team
Vanassa McKenzie / Our Today
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has called a meeting with the management team of Royalton Negril for Wednesday, October 23, following a protest by workers over poor working conditions and inadequate pay.
The meeting is set for 10:30 am and will include key figures from the Ministry of Tourism, such as Delano Seiveright, senior advisor and strategist; Wade Mars, executive director of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDco); Odette Dyer, regional director of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB); and other executive members.
Several workers—including cooks, housekeepers, and bartenders—gathered at the hotel’s entrance on Monday, demanding the removal of their general manager, citing a lack of communication about compensation.
The workers, who carried placards and chanted “GM [General Manager] must go!”, emphasied the need for better working conditions and wages. They threatened to stay off the job if their needs were not addressed by the management of the hotel.
Delano Seiveright has since confirmed that the staff members have returned their posts.
Rafael Cosano, a senior executive of Royalton, reportedly arrived on the island this morning to lead discussions with staff members.
Senator Janice Allen, the Opposition spokesperson on tourism, has urged the management of Royalton Negril to engage in constructive dialogue with its staff amid an ongoing strike.
“It is clear that these issues have reached a breaking point, and I urge the management of Royalton Negril to engage in meaningful dialogue with the staff to reach an amicable resolution,” said Allen.
The Royalton Resorts are owned by Sunwing Travel Group, a Canadian travel agency. The chain of luxury resorts are located in Mexico, Jamaica, and Saint Lucia.
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