Support for contract hotel workers is heartening
Published:Wednesday | December 4, 2024 | 12:06 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
Across the world, workers have been taking ever more strike action against their employers and also against the aggressive neo-liberal governments that choose to side with capital rather than labour, squeezing the public sector in preference to taxing the super-wealthy. The year 2023 was a record one for strikes in the USA as people struggle with rampant inflation, benefiting Trump against a smug Democratic party that didn’t accept their plight. Amazon workers were out in thousands on Black Friday, protesting their oppressive workload. This year, there have been general strikes in Argentina, Northern Ireland, Guinea, Nigeria, and right now in Italy.
In our region, workers in Trinidad and Tobago are currently in a battle with their government, which has been dismantling trade union rights. This includes port workers who have shut down the maritime terminal at Port of Spain; electricity, petroleum and postal workers; Caribbean Airlines pilots; and workers on the UWI campus. They are demanding the recognition of all trades unions and their rights, the re-establishment of collective bargaining, the right of organised workers to withdraw their labour, and the unconditional lifting of injunctions against strikers and their unions.
When public-sector workers in that country would not accept a pay rise of four per cent over six years, they were threatened with four per cent over 10 years instead. At the same time, government officials have awarded themselves pay raises upwards of 40 per cent. Subsidies are being reduced, retirement age increased, together with ever more precarious contract work.
FULSOME SUPPORT
Although Jamaica’s recent record on such matters has not been without blemish, it is heartening to see the prime minister currently giving fulsome support to our overworked, poorly paid, disrespected-by-management, contract hotel workers. “We support the workers of the tourism industry as they seek fair compensation and better work conditions,” he said, adding that providing housing for them will now be a priority. Taking the prime minister at his word, contracts with hotel investor groups must now include full provision of staff housing, fully funded pensions, pay rates at least twice the minimum wage, and working hours in line with ILO Conventions, especially no forced overtime. No less should be expected of Jamaica’s flagship industry, as was true in the heyday of the bauxite industry. Otherwise, why bother with it if it is a return to the plantation?
In the meantime, given the challenges faced by our sister and brother workers in Trinidad and Tobago, messages of support should be sent to the National Trade Union Centre at natuctt@gmail.com. They will be taking a joint action this Friday, December 6.
PAUL WARD
Oracabessa