Reasoning

Greetings, I need some help reasoning here. My first trip to JA was in 1984. Back then, the exchange rate was 1 USD = 4 JMD. Before I get into this, let me say that I tell first time visitors travelling with me, "if you expect everything in Jamaica to be the same as at home, then you probably should not come to Jamaica. You are in a foreign country, where there are different laws, culture, and customs, so suspend your judgment and enjoy Jamaica's unique culture."

I often wonder, since the hotels charge USD rates, why don't they pay their staff accordingly? Most hotel staff make very little. A friend shared that she makes the equivalent $327 USD per month as a security guard. That amount is based on 40 hours per week. I've also heard similar stories from other hotel staff. I stayed at the same hotel every year for 16 years, so I came to know the staff quite well.

I realize that utilities in Jamaica are very expensive, so I cannot imagine how much smaller hotels have to pay for electricity, water, and other operating costs. Realizing that food and other restaurant supplies are also expensive, am I looking at this the right/wrong way? Rob/Lisa, can you shed some light on this? Thanks

Dr. J

Greetings to you Jdub,
You make good points, thanks for contributing.

Jdub...While I have a response for you, as I had the same question/frustration when I first moved here...I'm going to let Rob respond as he's been living & working in this environment for almost 30 years...a wee bit longer than me. :biggrin-new:

I will however, give you some updated wage information...& summarize the article to say the minimum wage is now approx. $50-52.00US a week and security guards minimum wage is currently approx. $71.80US weekly.

https://jis.gov.jm/minimum-wage-to-m...7000-per-week/

To be fair, remember that hotel staff jobs are officially "low wage" in the US, and pay only barely above poverty level, with many of the people eligible for government assistance programs. US hotel chains acknowledge this and the industry trade group as well as the larger chains officially encourage tipping of household staff - somewhat ironic, as it absolves them of paying better, but that's how it goes.