The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

MORE than 100 Club Med employees in San Salvador are expected to return to work this weekend, nearly two months after Hurricane Melissa damaged the resort and disrupted operations, according to the head of the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union.

Union president Darrin Woods said the prolonged closure created major uncertainty for workers who typically enjoy highly stable employment. He noted that Club Med usually operates with about 90 percent occupancy year-round, providing staff with at least five days’ basic pay.

The resort had already closed temporarily in September for its annual break and was scheduled to reopen in October. Hurricane Melissa forced that reopening to be pushed back again. “They should have been back to work, but they're going back as of this Saturday, because the club was damaged by the hurricanes,” Mr Woods said.

“So, you're talking effectively, October, November, and pretty much half of December, where they have either worked with the construction company and all of the cleanup or received unemployment benefit.”

Mr Woods said the union met with workers earlier this month and pledged support for those who went without income. “Those persons who didn't want who did not work at all, which is almost about 100 plus, definitely, I mean, we have an obligation to do as much as we can, whatever we can, to assist those person and when I met with them, I committed to do to do that for them,” he said.

He also addressed the broader hotel sector, noting that this year has been slower than previous seasons and has forced some staff to work reduced days. He attributed the weaker occupancy to tariff pressures but said bookings suggest improvement in the coming months.

“It’s a little bit softer this year, a little bit softer, but we are expecting it to really pick up. Some areas have strong bookings for the Christmas where persons are being ramped up but it not ordinary outside of COVID for this time of the year to be soft,” he said.

“But based on all accounts, it is going to pick up just before the Christmas and take us into the winter season. All it means for us is that the winter season starts or is starting a bit later for us in all intents and purposes.”