Iberostar Workers Stage Protest Over Wages and Treatment; Tourism Ministry Strategist Intervenes

ST JAMES, Jamaica — Workers at the Rose Hall-based Iberostar hotel have taken to the roadside in protest, voicing their discontent over alleged low wages and what they describe as disrespectful treatment from management.

The protest, which began early Friday morning around 6 a.m., has drawn attention from locals, guests, and officials. Chanting and holding signs, the workers have vowed to continue their industrial action until their grievances are addressed.

Delano Seiveright, Senior Strategist at the Ministry of Tourism, arrived at the scene to assess the situation and engage with the workers. Speaking to the crowd, Seiveright encouraged them to move their demonstration indoors, citing concerns for their safety as they protested along the busy roadside. Despite his appeal, the workers remained resolute, insisting that their demonstration would continue outdoors until meaningful dialogue and resolutions are initiated.

Among the primary issues raised by the protestors are low wages, which they claim do not match the demanding nature of their jobs, and alleged disrespectful treatment by management. One worker shared, “We work long hours to maintain the hotel’s high standards, but the pay and treatment we receive do not reflect our efforts. We deserve better.”

The protest underscores longstanding concerns about labor conditions in Jamaica’s tourism sector, where workers often play a pivotal role in the success of the industry but feel undervalued.