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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/Tourism-minister-edmund-bartlett-20190829-1024x678.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-6406" /><figcaption>Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett (left) greets a member of the Red Cap Porters Association during a function at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay earlier this year. </figcaption></figure>
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<p>Several stakeholders
have welcomed the impending implementation of the Tourism Workers’ Pension
Scheme by the Government.</p>
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<p>The initiative,
being piloted by the Ministry of Tourism, is a defined contributory plan
supported by legislation, and will require mandatory contributions by workers
and employers.</p>
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<p>It will cover all
workers, aged 18 to 59, whether permanent, contract or self-employed. Benefits
will be payable at age 65 years or older. The scheme is programmed for rollout
in 2020.</p>
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<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>“Good days for the little man.” </p><cite> — Ocho Rios craft trader Milton Scott </cite></blockquote>
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<p>A number of persons, including raftsmen, airport bag handlers, and contract workers, who have spent most of their lives working in the industry, say the scheme is nothing short of “historic” while calling it a victory for work relations in Jamaica.</p>
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<p>Ocho Rios craft
trader Milton Scott says he was initially skeptical when the Scheme was first
proposed, noting “I thought it was wishful thinking.” However, he now anticipates
that the scheme’s introduction will make a big difference, and mark the start
of “good days for the little man”.</p>
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<p>For his part,
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett describes the pension scheme as a “signature
accomplishment” for the industry, and general work relations in Jamaica.</p>
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