MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – Come June 5, approximately 10,000 Jamaicans will be recruited to work on cruise ships overseas. The announcement was made by Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett.

Bartlett, who was speaking at a function at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James last week, said the massive recruitment drive comes at a time when the cruise sector and tourism, by extension, are showing signs of growth and is a telling indicator that Jamaican workers are viewed positively on the global stage.

“This is a very big deal and a sign that cruise shipping is back,” the Minister said. “The cruise lines can recruit anywhere and to express a commitment to hire 10,000 of our countrymen and countrywomen is a sure sign of the confidence they have in our workers. We are talking about chefs, bellboys, room attendants… seafarers in general… just about in any department.”

According to a release, the recruiting process will be handled by the operators of the cruise lines, and Jamaicans only need to have a clean police record and a clean bill of health.

“Scores of Jamaicans have been working on the major cruise lines… travelling all over the world for decades. Our workers have distinguished themselves in every department imaginable, and the cruise owners have taken notice. The best is yet to come because as soon as the cruise sector opens up more, you will see more of our people being recruited,” he said.

Bartlett said that in recent discussions with cruise officials, Jamaica continues to be the first-choice country as it relates to hiring workers, adding that “our work ethic and iconic stature are well known and will always give us that preferential edge anywhere in this region”.

Most of the major cruise lines have recently been on a global recruitment drive for workers, with Jamaica, based on numbers, being one of the highest on their list.