In a landmark achievement for hotel and tourism workers, the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) has finalised a historic agreement that promises substantial improvements in wages and working conditions, just in time for Christmas.
A comprehensive package of benefitsthat aims to enhance workers’ rights and well-being across the industry, together with the first tranche of backpay on Friday, ends two years of intense negotiations.
The BWU’s Deputy General Secretary and Director of Industrial Relations, Dwaine Paul, announced details of the agreement in an official statement, revealing a number of areas where workers can expect changes, including wage improvements and retroactive pay increases from 2021 to 2024.
There will be no increase for 2021; three per cent for 2022, effective December 15; 2023, three per cent; and 4.25 per cent for 2024, effective December 15.
The first tranche was paid on Friday while the second tranche will be due by January 15. Payments will be made in no more than two instalments, according to the union statement.
Regarding meal provisions, Paul said: “Effective 1 January, 2025, you will see new provisions for the sector as follows: all B-class listed properties will receive a meal allowance of $12 daily, all A and luxury class properties that currently provide meals have agreed to [continue providing] balanced meals to workers. Where vacation and other leave provisions apply, the value provided for the meal will be calculated at $14 per day. For hotels that currently opt not to provide meals as a matter of policy, the meal provision will stand at $20 per day for all workers.”
He also revealed that male employees are now entitled to ten days of paternity leave, applicable up to three confinements during their tenure. Additionally, revised hours of work and shift-splitting policies, updated call-out allowances for emergency support, and disaster management plans to protect workers during natural disasters have also been established.
Paul declared: “This agreement marks the start of what we see as a change that needs to take place in the hotel sector and the tourism sector.”
He praised workers for their resilience and lauded the members of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) who supported these advancements.
But the BWU official was clear that the fight for equity and fair treatment in the tourism industry is far from over.
He said: “I want to take this opportunity to sound the alarm to the workers of the sector. This agreement does not, by any stretch of the imagination, signal the end of the struggle for workers within the hotel industry. We are fully aware that many workers are still experiencing hardship within this sector and may be entitled to the benefits just announced but will not receive them due to differences with their management.”
He continued: “We encourage you to contact the Barbados Workers’ Union and let us know where you are facing these challenges. Furthermore, we know that there are hotels that are not party to this agreement, which will stand on the sidelines and try to dictate your worth within this sector. We are saying to you that 2025 needs to be the year we bring this to an end.
The Barbados Workers’ Union is using this occasion to call on all hotel workers, and all workers in this sector, to come together and stand united for what you, as the backbone of this industry, truly deserve.”
shamarblunt@barbadostoday.bb
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