PM Browne Urges Sandals to Reconsider Tipping Policy, Protect Workers’ Rights –CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATS APP GROUP
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has called on Sandals Resorts to revise its controversial no-tipping policy, describing it as unfair to hotel staff.
Speaking yesterday on the Browne and Browne show on Pointe FM, Browne noted the importance of allowing workers to supplement their income through gratuities, particularly in light of the financial challenges many face.
“Leave them with a tip, man,” Browne appealed, recounting an incident where a staff member received a generous tip but was forced to hand it over due to company policy.
He criticized the practice as unnecessarily harsh, particularly given the low wages in the hospitality sector. Browne also denounced reports that employees had been penalized for accepting tips, calling the policy “cruel.”
The Prime Minister revealed that the government has been considering legislative measures to address the issue.
“We are thinking about going to Parliament to pass legislation,” he stated, adding that such a law would apply across the hospitality industry. Browne expressed hope, however, that Sandals would voluntarily amend its policy, avoiding the need for government intervention.
With an eye on protecting the welfare of workers generally he proposed legislative changes to ensure that companies owning hotel properties are held accountable for severance in the event of liquidation or sale. The proposed reforms aim to strengthen worker protections and close loopholes that could leave employees vulnerable.
The Prime Minister extended his critique to the Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union, accusing it of inadequate representation for hotel employees. He suggested that the union use its financial resources to develop housing projects for members, an initiative he believes could significantly improve their living standards.
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Well done Mr prime minister . Those bas…ds are exploiting us. That’s A Form Of Slavery.Also there are a lot more things that needs changing quick and fast.
My first job, only on duty for about 3 weeks. Accepted tips, $5 to be exact, and I was fired. They said, “you are the best out there but you accepted the tip, so we must let you go”. The only thing I did “wrong”, and because I am new and on 30 day probation I am fired for accepting what was offered to me? Honestly, if I had a time machine I would accept the tip again, once offered to me.
You fired what you considered to be the best out there and most moralistic and legalistic person. Who was and is so by the book. I did nothabe friends if they smoked, I did not have friends if they steal, I did not have friends if they were rude. I literally cut off people who were like that.
I was and is a man of morals and law, and you fired me for accepting what was offered to me and that which I wanted, a tip.
The requirement in the employment contract was not valid.
The fear solution to this problem is to allow Sandals to market tips are not encouraged but no penalty or breach can be had for guest offering tips and employees accepting the tips for their own personal use. Once offered to them without pressure from employees.
I am fair even when you are evil. Including to that one idiot on this medium.
Did Gaston learn of this practice just last week? I am convinced that he knew from it’s inception. Like the good guy he is, he allows and covers improprieties, and at the opportune time he reveals them with pretending annoyance as though he’s there to save the day. We have seen it with Asot Michael and heard of the numerous times he had to shield our treasury from him. Gaston is as predictable as the result of gasoline poured on fire.
Why is the PM telling workers to accept tips instead of demanding that sandals and the rest of the island employers raise their basic wage? Tipping is simply a way for employers to avoid having to pay a decent wage. Similarly, why is he telling the Union what their priorities should be be? Union priorities are decided by the membership, not a by a corrupt politician.
I believe the PM know about this long time, with these wicked rules no tip policy, a country that thrive on tourism it is nonsensical. The more tourist spends, tip it is better for the country. Why the PM is addressing that issue , government workers who were sent home from work for vaccine mandate should be compensated also. You have to care full time not just part time
The government needs to look into all hotels on island where management treats the staff like slaves. They try to fire them wrongfully instead of pay them their severance for years of service. The union coves up for these establishments but still take the people dem 10 dollars weekly.
The guest have the right to give who they won’tto tip not sandals trying to tell them how to use there money ,they work for there money not sa days trying to control staff even there guest let them people take there tip they work hard enough look at the order hotel that pay better then sandal there service charge sky high and still getting tip and you sandals your staff cannot go home with a proper pay shame as a name bran
Sandals was not the first hotel on the island to have that policy. Wasn’t that a policy at Curtain Bluff before Sandals was in Antigua. If you are signalling out Sandals then name all of the all inclusive establishments on the island that practices this unfair practice to their employees .
Back in 1979,I worked with a Hotel on the eastern end of the Island.The guests were nice to me.I got so much tips weekly.I did not touch my regular pay from that Hotel for the entire season.That Hotel had yearly repeaters from all around the world coming there.It was a fantastic place to work until the Hurricane destroyed it.What has become of the Company that was supposed to rebuild it,HALF MOON BAY.
Do you even know the reason for no tipping? Stop trying to usurp your power on private companies. The tipping world is currently out of control and the last thing that one wants to do is to enact a law that says that customers must tip. Most people tip out of obligation. Tipping should not be mandatory. Why should I pay for something twice, cause that’s in essence what tipping does. I’m not pointing hands at Sandals here, but generally, if businesses pay their workers we’ll, then there’s no need for tips. Tips use to be that someone blesses you financially if they’re impressed with your work, now even dogs and cats looking for tips, whether they worked fairly or not. It’s becoming a violent thing, check on YouTube.
Who cares, y’all the ones letting all these people come in here and run this nasty little dumpy island. Soon as the money shows up you locals jump up and down like trained monkeys looking for bananas and fall into the trap. I don’t feel sorry for any of you keep cooking the meals and serving the drinks for your masters you clowns.
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