Fallout Royalton continues – Jamaica Observer

ANOTHER senior manager at the Royalton Negril luxury hotel has been separated from the entity following a protest last month by workers over their working conditions.

The Jamaica Observer confirmed that the senior manager, whose name is being withheld, was sent home on Friday after being blamed by workers for many of the challenges they face at work.

He joins the managing director, who was suspended immediately after a workers’ protest over what they said were poor treatment of staff by management, inadequate wages and overwork, among other things.

The protest affected hotel operations and reportedly led to some guests finding alternative food.

Some guests also came out in support of the workers during the protest, while one guest took to social media to demand a refund of the money he spent on what he expected to be a relaxing holiday in a tropical paradise.

In the wake of the protest, Daniel Lozano, senior vice president of Blue Diamond International, operators of the Royalton Negril, rushed to the island for meetings with the management team and some of the workers.

Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett; Senior Advisor and Ministry Strategist Delano Seiveright; CEO of tourism product development company Wade Mars; and other tourism officials rushed to the hotel for meetings to resolve the dispute.

Labor and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr and his team also visited the hotel for talks.

Following the talks, workers returned to work but warned that normality cannot be guaranteed if the suspended general manager returns to the property or if there are no improvements in working conditions.

Workers at the Royalton Negril protest on the road leading to the hotel on Monday, October 22, 2024.