Kristen Gyles | What was once an employer’s job market…

For almost as long as our existence as an independent nation, the tourism and hospitality sector has been the darling of the Jamaican economy, contributing significantly to our GDP, producing countless jobs annually and generating foreign exchange like no other sector. The success of the tourism sector has been the backbone of the Jamaican economy. That backbone is now injured and may leave the Jamaican economy crippled if serious attempts at rehabilitation are not made and made quickly.

Several hotels are under threat of facing industrial action by disgruntled employees. A few weeks ago, staff at the Royalton Negril hotel staged a protest which significantly disrupted the hotel’s operations over the course of at least two days. The workers protested low wages and unsuitable working conditions. During this period, guests at the hotel had very limited access to food, drinking water and toiletries. Eventually, the concerns of the employees were satisfactorily addressed and the employees returned to work.

This week, workers at the Secrets and Breathless Resorts, two neighbouring hotels in Montego Bay, took a similar course of action. Staff walked off the job in protest of low wages and at one point could be heard chanting “underpaid, overworked”. The Labour and Tourism ministries had to step in to put out yet another fire within the tourism sector.

It has also been reported that staff employed to other hotels have recently threatened to strike over low wages as well. If these threats materialise, the tourism sector will be in big trouble. For starters, these hotels will see significant reduction in revenues since affected guests will likely need to be compensated for spoiled vacation stays. In the longer term, the number of returning tourists is likely to decrease because of the now-growing perception of volatility within our tourism sector. We are perhaps just one or two more protests away from seeing Jamaica’s reputation devolve into that of an unreliable vacation spot.

DON’T TAKE PRIDE

Further, people typically do not take pride in knowing that they are contributing to a system characterised by unfair or harsh treatment of workers. Allegations of inhumane treatment of employees within the hotel sector are a turn off to Jamaica’s tourists.

Many hoteliers have been derelict in their duty to pay fair wages and provide reasonable working conditions for employees. This is ultimately the source of all the drama that has beset the tourism sector in the past few weeks.

It is tempting to see this string of protests as a chain reaction confined only to the tourism sector. However, in recent times various professional groups have staged sick-outs, protests and other forms of industrial action in opposition to unfavourable working conditions and terms. Clearly then, there is an issue much bigger than low wages that is affecting the workforce.

That issue might just be a clash of ideologies.

On one hand, a very specific narrative has formed in recent times that accuses employees of laziness and entitlement whenever they make requests or demands of their employers. Under this narrative, the employee is lucky to have obtained the mercy of the employer who is doing the employee a huge favour by even allowing them to work in their firm. Since the employee is a mere leech under this portrayal, they do not get the privilege of suggesting what their wages should be and must instead gracefully accept whatever they are given, which of course, they are lucky to receive. Apparently, to expect that they will receive remuneration at market rate or even at a rate that reflects the minimum liveable wage is entitlement.

ONE-SIDED

People who think like this don’t realise they are simply proponents of a one-sided employer’s job market. They hate to see employees who have enough audacity to think that the terms of their employment are up for discussion or that they can make any demands whatsoever.

In 2022, when Jamaica’s unemployment rate decreased to a then unprecedented low of 6.2 per cent, one Jamaican businessman remarked that so many jobs were available that Jamaican youth could “pick, choose and refuse jobs”. While employment had certainly increased, it had increased mostly in low-productivity sectors that pay workers relatively little. In any case, it seemed as though there was some hesitancy towards celebrating the fact that a young person could be in a position to refuse a job offer in favour of a better one.

On the other hand, Jamaican workers are becoming less afraid to air their grouses, especially when they are dissatisfied with remuneration and working conditions. They rightly have the view that they are providing services in exchange for wages that should be commensurate with their skills.

As long as this clash of ideologies persists, workers will continue protesting and employers will continue to complain that “people don’t want to work any more” or that people have become lazy and entitled.

As for the disgruntled employees of the tourism sector, the president of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions is spot on in suggesting that a Joint Industrial Council be established to review compensation and working conditions across the entire tourism sector. The approach of singular, ad hoc protests at individual hotels may provide a temporary solution for workers which will not necessarily be sustained and will also prove deleterious to the health of the economy. Can we find a better way?

Kristen Gyles is a free-thinking public affairs opinionator. Send feedback to kristengyles@gmail.com and columns@gleanerjm.com