Tourism growth must not exploit workers - Holness

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has warned against labour exploitation in Jamaica's tourism industry, calling on investors to ensure workers benefit fairly from the sector's growth.

Speaking at the groundbreaking of the US$700 million Moon Palace Grand Montego Bay on Monday, Holness said Jamaica's model must link wage increases to productivity and value creation, rather than rely on inflation-driven adjustments.

"We are not seeking cheap labour to create profit or capital," Holness said. "Labour and capital must both benefit from the value created."

The Prime Minister acknowledged long-standing concerns among tourism workers about low pay and challenging conditions, urging hoteliers to invest in training and professional development. He said the same principle applied to entertainers and taxi drivers, who play a critical role in the visitor experience but are sometimes left out of the economic benefits.

Holness linked sustained tourism growth to Jamaica's low 3.3 per cent unemployment rate, saying decades of steady employment could transform household incomes and asset ownership. "If we keep our population employed for 20 or 30 years, it will change the average household profile through the accumulation of income and assets," he said.

The Prime Minister added that tourism remains Jamaica's largest employer of skills and talent, and that protecting workers' rights was essential to the sector's long-term success.

-Janet Silvera

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