Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer

OCHO RIOS, St Ann:

Guests staying at the Baha Prncipe Hotel at Pear Tree Bottom in Runaway Bay, St. Ann, had to endure over six hours of inconvenience yesterday as workers at the hotel protested over the non-payment of gratuity and overtime allowances.

The protest, which started shortly after seven in the morning, involved workers from every department with the exception of managers and supervisors.

The workers claim that since the hotel opened in January this year, they have not received any overtime or gratuity payment and that each time they tried to find out when these payments will be made they are met with insults.

Declaring that they have run out of patience, the workers decided to walk off the job and protest outside the gates until they are paid.

Never been paid overtime

One employee told The Gleaner that at times they are forced to work three hours over their normal working hours and that they have never been paid overtime.

"We need our gratuity and our overtime now," she said to loud approval from fellow workers.

The workers first gathered outside the service entrance of the hotel then later shifted the protest to the main entrance where they used their bodies to block the gates in an effort to prevent tour buses with visitors from entering the property.

The police intervened and used tear gas to disperse the crowd, which later regrouped at the gate and continued to make their demands known. Not even a shower of rain was able to dampen their spirits as they firmly stood their ground, demanding their pay.

Throughout the day, several bus loads of visitors were seen leaving the hotel but The Gleaner was unable to ascertain whether their departure was as a result of the protest.

The workers were later addressed by Regional General Manager of Baha Prncipe Hotels, Garth Ferra, who assured them that the matter was settled and that everyone should return to their jobs. The workers were told that the gratuity will be paid by June 15.