By admin 
Leader of the ruling Jamaica Labor Party, Andrew Holness, addressed party supporters in Portland on Sunday evening. (Photo: Everard Owen)
PORT ANTONIO, Portland – In his first public comments on the wave of protests that have hit the tourism sector, Jamaica Labor Party leader Andrew Holness has assured workers that his government is listening to their concerns.
Speaking at a political platform meeting in Portland on Sunday evening, he also said he has had discussions with investors and is satisfied that they have a good understanding of the characteristics of the Jamaican workforce. Holness also denounced political enemies who he said fueled the industrial action.
Workers at Excellence Oyster Bay in Trelawny were the last to take to the streets on Monday morning, even as Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett began a second day of talks with tourism stakeholders. Like other protesters at other properties last week, Excellence Oyster Bay employees complained about low wages, long hours and the need for additional benefits.
On Sunday, Holness told Laborites that the protesting workers have the right to expect a certain standard of labor.
“We hear their plight and understand their problems,” he said.
The party leader emphasized the importance of the tourism sector, which accounts for 30 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, and expressed satisfaction that his discussions with stakeholders have been fruitful.
“I met with some tourism investors last Friday and we had a very candid conversation. What I’m happy about is that the owners, investors and managers understand that tourism is about happiness – and that’s what tourism sells. It means that the employee must be happy, the visitor must be happy and the manager must be happy. Minister (of Tourism Edmund) Bartlett has been asked to lead the dialogue that will benefit tourism workers,” Holness said.
“There are a lot of issues, not just about pay; the conditions under which they work, some are the way management talks to them – and if there is one thing about Jamaicans, it (that you have to talk to them) is respect,” he added.
Holness then turned his attention to players he said are taking advantage of legitimate challenges within the tourism industry for their own gain.
“As a government, we cannot allow grievances to derail the natural process of adjustment in the business community. There are those who seek to gain political advantage from grievances, fueling industrial action to score political points so they can gain political power. The people who act behind the scenes for political reasons could not grow the tourism industry when they were still in political power. They have destroyed the tourism industry with reckless actions,” he accused.
“Tourism workers, we understand the problems. My government, me personally, we care for you, we understand the problems and we will solve the problems in a positive way,” Holness assured.