Prime Minister Gaston Browne Calls for Higher Wages for Hotel Workers Amidst Tourism Growth-CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATS APP GROUP
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has yet again addressed the pressing need for better compensation for hotel workers in Antigua and Barbuda, emphasizing the robust growth in the tourism sector and the evident profitability of hotels.
Despite claims from hotel management about financial constraints, the Prime Minister pointed out the contradiction evident in the continuous expansion of these establishments.
“Hotels often claim they are not doing well financially and therefore need to keep salaries low.
“However, their annual expansions tell a different story, clearly indicating profitability,” stated Prime Minister Browne.
He highlighted that with the economy growing at a rate of 8% and tourism contributing 60% to the GDP, it is apparent that hotels are benefiting significantly.
The Prime Minister criticized the lack of forceful advocacy and protest from unions, which he believes is necessary to ensure hotels improve wage conditions.
“The union representing hotel workers needs to step up with more activism, possibly even protestations, to ensure that hotels are held accountable for fair wage practices,” he added.
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Furthermore, Prime Minister Browne discussed plans to increase the minimum wage next year, from the current rate of approximately $8.90 per hour to potentially $10.00 per hour, noting that this would still place hotel workers’ earnings too close to the minimum wage.
“Hotel workers should not be earning just 10% to 15% more than the minimum wage. They deserve better,” he argued.
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The Prime Minister also mentioned ongoing efforts to improve overall working conditions across various sectors, including for taxi operators and other tourism-related services, underscoring the government’s commitment to enhancing the livelihoods of its citizens.
This push for higher wages comes amid broader governmental measures to improve economic conditions for workers, such as increasing the minimum pension to $1,000, which would significantly exceed that of other regional counterparts.
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Until I get a decent pay raise, I don’t belive a word you say. These hotel owners are blatantly practicing a racial wage gap because i know of many locals who are working in prominent roles that are getting paid way less than a causian in the same role and thats wrong just wrong. So when you’re calling for higher pay make sure the local picky head black managers and line staff are fairly compensated and not short changed for their work. Dem nuh lub fi see black people get money, slavery is alive and well!
STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!
STRIKR! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!
“The union representing hotel workers needs to step up with more activism, possibly even protestations, to ensure that hotels are held accountable for fair wage practices,” he added.
Really?
Then when protestation actions are taken in tourism industry, persons and organizations are accused of ‘harming the bread basket’.
Come on. We are not all fools out here.
Government, do your work and stop passing the buck.
You are the ones who pass laws.
Do your work and stop trying to fool SOME of the people because you are surely not fooling all of the damn people out here.
It’s High time for too long hotel workers have been slaves in these hotels, and you all as prime minister and ministers knew that hotel workers were not getting what is due to them. It’s Time to free up black people from hotel slavery, and pay them what they are worth for Christ sake.
And minimum wage workers the backbone of this country deserve respect and a living wage. And them their pension on time.
Dahh! Knight in shining armor, you give these people all tax free or concession to extract every cent they make in the hotel along with buffer zone, no concern for citizens or workers, but now hoping to sound as though they care about workers.
Eldread please don’t use my username. “Knight in Shining Armour.” The man name is “TOP DAWG.” Get it right.
ironically the government is the one who negotiated the over arching contract so that the people can get a minimum wage job.
if the PM feels so strongly about this the next MOA ensure that workers get premium pay or there will be no concessions from the people’s taxes.
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