LETTER: A Call for Accountability in the Hospitality Sector

Recent statements by Prime Minister Gaston Browne on the Browne and Browne Show have sparked renewed public attention to the treatment of local workers within Antigua and Barbuda’s hospitality industry. His warning that foreign hotel managers or expatriate employees who mistreat or exploit locals could face deportation signals a firm stance: respect for citizens is not optional—it is a condition of working here.

These remarks come amid allegations circulating within industry circles that a director at a five-star property has engaged in repeated misconduct toward staff. It is alleged that this individual has moved between properties over time, with troubling behavior following him, while employees remain fearful of speaking out due to concerns about retaliation or job security.

If such claims are substantiated, they would underscore exactly why the Prime Minister’s warning matters. A tourism-driven economy depends not only on guest satisfaction but also on fair, safe, and respectful workplaces for the people who sustain the sector. Silence born of fear allows harmful patterns to persist, while transparency and accountability strengthen both industry standards and national reputation.

The Prime Minister’s message is therefore more than rhetoric—it is a reminder that economic development must never come at the expense of dignity. For many workers, the hope now is that credible complaints will be taken seriously, investigated impartially, and acted upon decisively so that respect in the workplace is not just promised, but practiced.

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