Tourism pension fund hits $6b, health plan next - Bartlett
Published:Thursday | April 2, 2026 | 8:42 PM
Jamaica’s Tourism Workers Pension Scheme has accumulated more than $6 billion in just two and a half years, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has disclosed.
Addressing the reopening of Half Moon resort on Thursday, Bartlett said the fund is projected to reach $10 billion by 2027, at which point Government intends to introduce a dedicated health insurance programme for tourism employees.
“We establish a pension programme, the first of its kind in the world, and in two and a half years, you have saved already over $6 billion,” Bartlett said.
He revealed that $2 billion will be carved out of the fund as seed capital to establish a health maintenance organisation, marking the next phase in strengthening worker welfare across the industry.
The pension scheme, introduced to provide retirement security for tourism workers, is now being positioned as a broader social safety net, combining income support with access to healthcare.
Bartlett indicated that legislative changes are also being considered to allow a portion of contributions to be directed into the health fund, ensuring long-term sustainability.
The initiative forms part of a wider framework aimed at improving the quality of life for tourism workers, who play a central role in Jamaica’s largest foreign exchange-earning sector.
In addition to pension and health benefits, the Government is advancing housing solutions for employees, including plans for nearly 4,000 units in key tourism areas.
Bartlett said the approach reflects a shift towards a more inclusive tourism model, where workers directly benefit from the industry’s growth.
“Jobs mean income, and income means the ability to provide for your families,” he said, underscoring the importance of securing livelihoods in the sector’s recovery.
The minister argued that strengthening worker protections is critical as Jamaica rebuilds its tourism industry in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which severely disrupted operations across the island.
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