HANOVER, Jamaica— Following a recent unrest by tourism workers at Royalton Negril which brought services to a halt, the tourism ministry is moving to take a greater look at the labour market arrangement within the sector.

Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett said that a task force led by the Executive Director of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, Professor Lloyd Waller will look at solving labour market issues within the industry.

The task force will also look at the broader implications and to develop initiatives and proposals that can be used to strengthen the labour market relations within the sector.

On Monday, workers protested over what they say are poor treatment of staff, inadequate pay and being overworked, among other things.

The protest impacted the operations of the hotel which reportedly resulted in some guests having to find alternative food. Some guests also came out in support of the workers during the protest.

READ: Hotel worker allegedly injured on the job decries mistreatment of staff

On Tuesday, a meeting was held between a senior executive who is now on the island, the local management team and the workers. The workers are now back on the job.

Senior tourism officials and agencies are seeking a meeting with the management and some of the workers for Wednesday.

READ: Tourism Ministry, other agencies to meet with disgruntled Royalton Negril staff Wednesday

President of the Negril Chamber of Commerce Elaine Allen Bradley said she has been receiving complaints from staff for some time now about the treatment they are receiving.

“I think that if we have foreign companies coming to develop commerce within our space, they should invest in the people as well. Not just the building. They should invest in the people because it is the people who are helping them to make their businesses strive,” stated Allen Bradley.

“Jamaica is beautiful and people come to Jamaica for the beauty of Jamaica but they also, when you ask them, come to Jamaica for the people. They say the people are warm. They are nice and they made the place extra special. Now, if our people are assets and we do not invest in our assets, then we are not going to make headway in commerce,” added Allen Bradley.

Meanwhile, President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association Robin Russell told Observer Online that while he does not have much information he is deeply concerned about what is happening there and the impact on the tourism industry.