The Jamaica Employers Federation (JEF) wants the government to set up a special commission to examine the state of industrial harmony in the hotel / tourism sector.

The recommendation from JEF, which represents employers in Jamaica, follows recent protests by staff at four hotels in Western Jamaica.

Over the last month, employees of Royalton, Secrets, Iberostar and Excellence hotels voiced their concerns over low wages and called for better working conditions.

The JEF says it believes that a social dialogue mechanism, in the form of a special commission, needs to be established.

The federation explains that this will allow for the development of minimum industry standards to treat with procedural issues, to include, employment matters (representation, safety and health, grievance and discipline) and substantive issues to treat with compensation matters (wages, leave, health, housing, transportation, meals and refreshment).

The group says this social dialogue mechanism must be fully representative and involve the tripartite as recognized by the International Labour Organization(ILO) and is embodied in the Labour Advisory Council (LAC) and other groups, to include the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association , Owners and Managers of Hotels.

JEF adds that this mechanism will also ensure the country arrives at sustainable, long-term solutions through social dialogue that will allow the society, business and workers to thrive and to continue to grow the industry.

The federation says it stands ready to lend active participation in this mechanism to maintain industrial harmony and remains committed to providing employers with the tools, knowledge, and solutions needed to succeed in today’s global business environment and to ensure that they remain competitive and maintain a highly skilled and motivated workforce.