OCHO RIOS, St Ann — Craft traders from the Ocho Rios and Pineapple Craft markets in this parish are calling on the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) and the Tourism Development Product (TPDCo) to meet with them to discuss what they say has been a change in their licensing agreement.

They are also asking for repairs to be done at both facilities.

President of Pineapple Craft Market Claire Pink Bruce said traders were only made aware of a new contract in February of this year when they were not allowed to renew their Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) licence. Instead they were presented with a three-year contract, dated January 2022, and with an expiration date of December 31, 2024.

“We always use the application from TPDCo office to apply for our licence. When my traders go to TPDCo with all their qualifications they were told that they will not process any licence until they have signed the contract at UDC,” said Bruce.

She was speaking Thursday during a media briefing hosted by Opposition spokesperson on tourism and linkages Senator Janice Allen alongside deputy spokesperson on information and public communication Dr Ryan Simpson, who is also the Opposition’s parliamentary candidate for St Ann North Eastern.

“We have always complied with them but now they have gone too far. We need them to come and sit and talk with us like we are decent people,” Bruce added.

Bridgette Corrie, a vendor at Pineapple Market, is among those who complained that they are reeling from the effects of not having a valid licence. She said she has had to cease vending on the pier, where it is more lucrative.

“Sales are really slow at Pineapple Craft Market because the market is not attractive. The pier is where we can make a little money and UDC is stopping that,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

“UDC need to step in and fix up their properties; we need beautification. We are not goats and dogs so they need to deal with us better. They are changing the contract without giving us any notice or calling us into a meeting to tell us,” she groused.

Corrie vowed that they would not sign the proffered contract unless it is amended.

“They are pushing stuff down our throat and we are not accepting it,” she said.

President of the Ocho Rios Craft Market Mossana Martin also added her voice to the list of complaints. She said the UDC has fallen short on commitments made to craft traders.

“Shops are leaking and everything is just deteriorating. UDC has all these things to attend to, which they are not, and now they coming with rules and regulations that if you don’t sign contract you cannot get your JTB licence. These are the things that are getting us disgruntled. You are lacking to do your duty, but yet still you are coming to give orders. It can’t work. We are not outlaws, we are citizens of this country and we must get treated as such,” Martin stated.

“My cup is full and we will be showing in action that we need things to be done,” she added.

Taking a more measured approach, president of the Ocho Rios Craft Council Devon Mitchell said he is still hoping for an amicable solution before the end of May.

“I know that UDC and TPDCo will dialogue with us to arrive at a solution because our craft vendors are willing to work with them,” he said.