A main source of income has disappeared for these tourism workers who are uncertain of what the future holds. Craft markets are empty – and some craft vendors nowhere to be seen. There are no customers and their business needs cash to survive.
” The little savings weh wi did have a it wi haffi a depend pan and a tek time a stretch it like rubber band,” says Assistant President of the Craft Vendors Association , Roxanne.
But, with no one at the craft market, rodents have found a new habitat and the market now has a rat infestation problem.
“One of our co-workers had said rat eat up some of her stuff,” says Roxanne. “And you know if any damage we not getting back anything. We have to bear that loss.”
Some craft vendors are hopeful that their customers will return – and are making more items. The Covid-19 pandemic, they say, will soon pass.
“So, I have time fi work and relax and so – but people, as I tell you better days, are coming,” says Gervan Roofe, a craft vendor.
Another vendor, Beverly Pryce says, ” Mi just stay home because mi an old woman. Mi a sixty-odd soon reach seventy so mi stay home.”
For other workers, the road to recovery will be a rocky one and is dependent on the tourism ministry’s plan for the sector and those who benefit from it.
“Depending on the savings I had before, the little US I saved overtime so I’m using that to keep afloat, depending on my partner and taking the free classes offered by the Government,” says Annmarie Tyrell, a former Hotel Waitress.
Some of these tourism workers have applied for support through the government’s We CARE programme and are hoping to be back in business soon.
Khadijah Thomas with this report:
