{"id":216090,"date":"2024-11-12T11:45:45","date_gmt":"2024-11-12T15:45:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=216090"},"modified":"2024-11-12T16:44:51","modified_gmt":"2024-11-12T20:44:51","slug":"tourism-workers-in-the-caribbean-must-be-protected-to-ensure-growth-says-itf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/tourism-workers-in-the-caribbean-must-be-protected-to-ensure-growth-says-itf\/","title":{"rendered":"Massiah Pushes for Sustainable Reforms to Protect Tourism Workers in the Caribbean"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Tourism workers in the Caribbean must be protected to ensure growth, says ITF<\/strong><\/p>

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The International Transport Workers\u2019 Federation (ITF), International Union of Food, Agriculture, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers\u2019 Associations (IUF) are calling for more protections for workers and resilience building to ensure the travel and tourism sector thrives in the Caribbean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an open letter to the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), published to coincide with the CTO\u2019s Tourism Month, the ITF, IUF and their Caribbean affiliates, call on the organisation to affirm its commitment to unity, recovery and sustainability in the region.<\/p>

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Eight out of ten of the most tourism-dependent countries globally are in the Caribbean \u2013 major issues are. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, tourism accounts for 11.5% of GDP in the Caribbean ($67.9bn) and 15.2% of jobs (2.78m) as of 2023 (F).<\/p>

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David Massiah<\/strong>, ITF\u2019s Tourism Services Section Chair, said: \u201cDespite the economic power the travel and tourism sector holds in the Caribbean, there are major issues threatening the industry and its workforce which must be urgently addressed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a groundbreaking study on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) trends, projections, risks and opportunities in travel and tourism, released by the Tourism Workers\u2019 Alliance in September this year, widespread poor labour conditions and a lack of decent work were found to create significant systemic risks.<\/p>

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Massiah, who is from Antigua and Barbuda, where tourism is estimated to contribute to 93% of the country\u2019s GDP, added: \u201cTourism thrives when workers are safe, secure, motivated, and protected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With new modern slavery, due diligence and ESG regulations coming into force, the CTO must prioritise supporting businesses with monitoring, training and due diligence processes to protect workers and ensure social sustainability.<\/p>

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The climate crisis must also be urgently addressed through the establishment of a sustainable transport committee for a just transitions and safe destination. This would comprise representatives from the Ministry of Transport, ITF and IUF affiliated trade unions, ensuring tourism and travel workers have a seat at the decision-making table.<\/p>

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Rob Johnston<\/strong>, ITF\u2019s Assistant General Secretary, said: \u201cActions speak louder than words \u2013 the CTO needs to practise what they preach this Caribbean Tourism Month and ensure that workers\u2019 rights are at the heart of the industry\u2019s growth. The future of tourism in the region depends on it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the open letter, the ITF, IUF and their Caribbean affiliates, are advocating for six key asks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n