Our Hotel Workers Are Happy People

Anybody who reads through the pages of this newspaper finds at times that some of them are replete with photographs of our hotel employees. They are shown either receiving awards for exemplary service or, as in this edition, enjoying themselves at the end of season staff parties. The pictorials are radiant and happy scenes that gladden the heart.

What is portrayed is the fact that the tourism industry, the life-blood of Anguilla’s economy, has provided a comfortable way of life for our people who are not just bus boys, waiters and waitresses. These are people whose opinions count in the organisation, who occupy middle-management and other senior positions and who, by their commitment and hard work, are very much respected on the job.

The hospitality industry is by far the leading source of employment on the island. With the coming on stream of new projects and others in the pipeline, Anguillians, as well as other nationals residing among us can look forward to steady and perhaps lucrative jobs.

What is of much significance is that there is a high level of industrial harmony in Anguilla. Although some minor complaints may crop up occasionally, the situation does not get out of control. There is no trade union acting as a bargaining agent or arbiter and there are those who feel, rightly or wrongly, that a union is not really necessary for the simple reason that disputes are rare. It is a compliment to the Labour Department that it is able to quickly and efficiently deal with any misunderstanding between employers and employees, thus ensuring a continued harmonious relationship. Despite this, however, there must be certain safeguards and laws firmly in place to deal with any untoward situation.

A point to mention is that the hotels are constantly training their workers in such areas as customer relations, interpersonal skills and good management techniques. Managers and other human resource personnel are pursuing ways and means of making their employees feel appreciated for being important contributors to the operations and success of the properties. This is paying dividends in that the workers in turn are demonstrating good behaviour and have little or no need to be uncooperative. If it were not that the industry is still largely seasonal, many workers, though tired from long hours on the job and the associated stress, may wish to work non-stop throughout the year.

Their power of earning well is certainly a driving force, but there is also a need for rest and rejuvenation after which the tourism sector will hum again with activity and buoyancy. Our hotel workers are proud and happy and they have every reason to be. They serve an up-market industry in which the properties are among the leading small hotels of the world, there are good potential financial benefits for them and there are opportunities for upward mobility. The larger resorts and facilities that are coming will add to the pride of the island and that of its people.