OCHO RIOS, St Ann — Some craft traders who are struggling to earn a living at Ocho Rios Craft Market have rebuffed an offer from the prime minister to have their fees waived until next June. They have described it as a short-sighted measure that will have no long-term benefit, and see it as yet another signal that the Government is not listening.

“We nuh wah nobody fi pay wi rent; that is not what we want. The market needs to be repaired, and then more tourists will start coming in and we can more than pay our rent. We don’t need someone to give us a fish — teach us how to fish so we can survive on our own,” said the market’s secretary, Sharlene Henry.

She has been a craft trader for more than 20 years, and was among a group of about six of her peers who congregated at the entrance of the market Monday morning. None of them completely embraced the announcement made by leader of the governing Jamaica Labour Party Andrew Holness as he closed the party’s 81st annual conference on Sunday.

In outlining measures that would show that the Administration cares about the tourism sector and its employees Holness said the fee waiver is supposed to help “stakeholders in our craft market who were badly affected by fall-off in cruise visitors”.

“To lighten the burden that they face, the Government will waive fees for all craft vendors in Government-owned craft markets for the months of December and January, and write off any outstanding fees owed by craft vendors. This is designed to ease the economic burden on the craft vendor and give them a head start in the winter tourism season,” he told the throng of supporters gathered at the National Arena.

He singled out craft vendors in St Ann — hard hit by damage to the Ocho Rios cruise ship pier — for extra support.

“I have instructed that the waiving of fees for craft vendors in St Ann will extend until June of next year when the pier is set to reopen,” Holness said to cheers.

The reaction from Henry and others at the market was starkly different.

“I think it is an insult; this is way off from what my concerns and problems are. I’m having a great issue to get my shop in a state to apply for my Jamaica Tourist Board licence where I can go to the bank and open an account and have proof of my funds. That is one of our great issues. And then you’re gonna come and talk about paying shop rent? I’m not frightened over someone paying the rent,” she scoffed.

The third generation in her family to earn a living at the craft market, she said that she is not affiliated with any political party.

Vendors said they pay about $2,500 per month.

“They need to come in here and fix the property and bring it up to international standards so tourists will be excited to stop here. Every day we hear how much is being made by the tourism industry, so where is the millions being used? The market needs to be upgraded,” Henry insisted.

Her colleagues agreed, and complained that the facility is in a deplorable state, their shops are leaking and have dilapidated floor boards, the pavements leading to them are broken and, most annoying, there is a rodent infestation.

The closest thing to praise Holness’s suggestion received from the vendors was a grudging acknowledgement that it was a good gesture. This came from advisor at the market Renford Henry, but he also said it was not enough.

“What he is doing won’t put money in our pockets and goods in our shop because there is nothing that we are holding in our hands. How long will that bellyful which he is giving us now going to last? Where is the food coming from after that?” he asked.

“They see the condition and suffering of the craft market and [yet] nothing has been done. The whole craft fraternity is suffering because they are not helping us to get people into the craft market. We have items for months and years that are not being sold,” Renford Henry added.

He suggested that Urban Development Corporation, the State agency in charge of operations at the craft market, fix the infrastructure.

“We want improvements and developments in the craft market so when the tourists come they don’t turn away because of the shambles,” he said.

Another vendor, Andrea Green, urged Holness to visit the market. She believes it will help him understand their frustration.

“We are suffering in here; we are not getting no business. Waiving the fees will help us a little bit but that is not the root of the problem. We’re not making any money, and I’m stressed to my neck. He should look into coming here, have a dialogue, and listen to our plea,” she said.

Craft vendors at the Ocho Rios market have not been shy in expressing themselves over the years. In May this year they staged a protest to voice concerns about changes made to their licensing agreement, and the decrepit state of the market. In September 2021 they blasted the tourism ministry and threatened to take to the streets because tour bus operators were not taking cruise ship visitors to craft markets. In May 2020 they spoke out after delays to reopen the facility, which was closed as part of efforts to curb COVID-19.

Their grouses about the need for repairs and lack of clients have been repeated by other markets across the country over the years.