Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez has weighed in on the recent walkout by some staff at the Royalton Antigua Resort, describing it as a “symptom” of deeper labor issues that need to be addressed in the tourism sector.
Speaking on Pointe FM’s Browne and Browne Show, Fernandez underscored the importance of fair treatment for workers and the need for government intervention where necessary.
“While it wasn’t all the staff, as far as I’m concerned, it is a symptom of what we have to look at coming down the road,” Fernandez said.
He noted that similar incidents have occurred in Jamaica and highlighted the importance of ensuring Antigua and Barbuda does not replicate a “tourism plantation” model.
Fernandez reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring tourism workers are valued and fairly compensated.
“We can’t afford to replace a sugar plantation with a tourism plantation,” he remarked, stressing the need to improve conditions for employees who form the backbone of the industry.
He also criticized what he described as a lack of responsiveness from unions, recounting an instance where his ministry sought input on a 10-year tourism plan.
“In 2022, we put out a 10-year plan in tourism. We wrote to every stakeholder—the taxi operators, the vendors, the youth—and the union never responded,” he said.
The minister shared plans to revise the investment incentives for tourism projects, ensuring that factors like employee welfare, green energy, and sustainability are prioritized. “
We are looking at changes in our investment portfolio, including green energy and how investors treat their employees. For example, is there a way for employees to share in the profits of the company?” Fernandez stated.
He also proposed dedicating resources to support workers with troubled pasts or financial difficulties, suggesting that interventions could include education or financial assistance.
“We need to carve out something so they don’t feel the only way out is to commit a crime,” Fernandez said.
To address these issues on a broader scale, Fernandez announced plans to host a regional symposium in Antigua in collaboration with the Caribbean Tourism Organization. “
We are working on having a symposium with Caribbean tourism ministers and union leaders to discuss employment, sustainability, wages, and job security,” Fernandez revealed.
He emphasized the importance of regional unity to counter exploitation by external investors. “We have to learn to understand that we’re stronger working together, and it benefits all of us,” he said.
Reflecting on the Royalton incident and other challenges, Fernandez called for continued investment in Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism workers. “At the end of the day, it’s the employees that really carry the thing,” he remarked.
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call for fair pay too I don’t see why expats coming to Antigua are given management and director positions making way more money than the locals who are quite capable of doing the same job and also if locals are given these positions they are paid way way less. why should I be making way less to train soeome who’s making way more money?
While we continously tout the increasing tourism numbers, both stay over and cruise ship passengers, we often pay very little attention to the plight of the workers in the sector until those workers take industrial action. We often pretend that all is well and hotels and workers alike are doing exceptionally well. Far from the truth, and greater attention need to be given to the workers many of whom are feeling the squeeze and really reaping very little benefits from the “growing” tourism numbers. Stop closing your eyes to the reality and address the problem because it is far larger than just Royalton alone.
Tourism Plantation is a real thing. Employees in the tourism sector are overworked and underpaid.
The employees are robbed of tips. They are robbed of a rest day between shift changes . Meaning, they don’t get the required day off, when their shift changes from night to day. They are also robbed of getting two breaks within a 9 hour work day.
That is also why the turnover rate is high, because no one looks into the employees’ interests. So managers think they can get away with treating the employees badly.