The government of Antigua and Barbuda is weighing new legislation to enable tipping rights for hospitality workers.
This follows Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s recent critique of Sandals Resorts no-tip policy.
Browne has described the policy as “exploitative” and likened it to “plantation behavior,” alleging that Sandals is blocking workers from benefiting directly from tips.
The policy requires employees to deposit any tips into the Sandals Foundation, a move Browne argues deprives workers of additional income that could substantially improve their standard of living. A Sandals Official said it is untrue that tips go to the foundation which is funded by charitable donations.
The proposed legislative change aims to ensure that hospitality staff, who often rely on gratuities to supplement their wages, can retain tips given by guests.
Sandals has faced mounting criticism from the Browne administration for its strict policy, which some argue undermines the cultural norms and economic structure of the hospitality industry, where tipping is a customary part of service.
If enacted, the new law would mandate that all resort employees be allowed to keep their tips without penalty, potentially setting a precedent for tipping rights within the Caribbean’s tourism sector.
This legislative proposal is part of a series of moves by the government to address what Browne has called “greedy” and “colonial” practices by Sandals and other resorts, reinforcing Antigua and Barbuda’s stance against policies that, in his words, “treat the country like a plantation.”
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I dunno… If a service charge is on my bill, Im not tipping
Thank you mister prime Minster
Tips should be for above standard service, the employers should pay enough for the workers to live comfortably.
It’s a slippery slope to rely on tips, next thing it’ll be like America where you’re expected to tip 20% to subsidize the wages.
It’s dis cremination the guess work fir there money and sandals trying to tell them how to use there own money thanks Mr.primister
Did the union signed on to this no tip to employees process in the commencement of the Sandals operation? and what employee would agree to their tips going to some fund instead of in their pocket? speaking as a waiter or waitress and during my orientation I was told this, no matter how much I want this job I would’ve had to decline.
Some establishments may have a pool it up tip process and that’s up to the workers, some establishments may decide to pay their employees a handsome hourly wage with a paycheck that (Stands Out) and implement a no tip policy this is understandable, but to be tip and not receiving it is taking advantage of your workers.
I can agree to this law. It is against public policy to enforce such adhesion clause within the employment contract that forces people to refuse tip/payment or reward for services they give.
It is also an intrusion (intentional interference of economic advantage) into the rights folks not within the control of sandals, tourist, from dictating who they give their money and their purpose of giving the money.
Make this law re-activte to 2001, and I would definitely consider suing for wrongful termination.
About time. Hundreds of good team members have been fired by Sandals after being entrapped by secret shoppers working for the company who offer tips know it’s against policy.
I’ve said for years, Sandals’ contribution to the local economy is the bare minimum. Everything is prepaid overseas, all the top managers are expats, and this no tipping policy basically says to team members “you can only have what I give you.”
Enough is enough!!!
wow! a so WICKED!!!! sandals be????? and they like to import JAMAICAN managers too.
Folks I am aware of the reason for no tipping at Sandals. This came from the Founder and him and him alone Mr. Gorden “Butch” Steward. I totally agree with his rationale. He said he went to a hotel bar for a drink and there was this guy who tipped the bartender. He noticed that when ever the guy approached the bar the bartender would ask him what he wanted and the other guest that were there before him took second place. So to ensure that all guests at his hotels are treated equally he said no tipping. He said you have poor people that save for years to go on a vacation and they should equally enjoy the sandals experience.
So Hon. Gaston Browne – go after your taxes, you have all right. Stop the nonsense of them wanting to open a taxi business and cutting out our taxi drivers. Stop them from bringing in foreign workers to do jobs that Antiguans can easily do both Sandals and the Royaltons. Let them know that the beach is mine and I can bathe there anytime. Tell them about the high water mark laws of Antigua and Barbuda . That we must have public access to our beaches.
they barely want to pay you fairly if you’re not white. I was a manager at an Irish owned hotel, they want you to do the most with crappy pay and I must say I would never work under that type of management ever again. I’ve made more progress where I am now and making far better pay..alot of these hotels are robbing the country and employess blind….Gaston don’t let up, put pressure on them! if you white folk don’t like black people progressing and earning don’t come to our fucking Islands to set up businesses.
I’m yet to see a black General Manager that’s racism right in our faces but yall don’t notice..
Well done PM Brown! I hope you go after Barette also with his taxi and pleasure boat business which should be for the locals.
Well, I am so proud of how the PM Browne is standing here on Antigans behalf. Keep up the good work Mister Prime Minister
Wasn’t this no tipping policy started by Curtain Bluff. If you are going to go after one establishment for that then go after All And Sundry that practices the same. Circumnavigate the entire hotel industry and repeal this ugly practice
@Tamisha
Where did the article say you will now HAVE to tip? Ya dunce? It never said you’d be forced to tip, you dummy.
@The One The article said it’s to allow people to NOW get tips not unravel their fixed wages to head down a slippery slope. Use reason nuh.
It’s just that in addition to their wages they can get tips too.
Goddamn.
@Frankly Speaking
I agree.
investigate what they do with the service charge too
Prime Minister you are so right and bring in Guest as secrets shoppers ,to see who all is taking tips and if you get caught you can be terminated.
Curtain Bluff or any other hotel may have the right to implement a no tip policy, if their employees are well taken care of, feel secured and your paycheck at the end of month adds up to an outstanding paycheck.
Curtain Bluff been a top class hotel since it came on board with Mr Howard and unless their was a secret clause sign to keep your mouth shut, I’ve yet to hear any of its employees complain about tips, paychecks, taking advantage of, or working in a slave like work place. So to compare just come Sandals is a joke.
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