Portland Rafters Frustrated Over Delay In Payments

Montego Bay, Jamaica - February 11,2015: Bamboo Rafting on the Martha Brae River, a popular tourist attraction in Jamaica.

The tourism industry is in recovery mode with no clear timeline on when the bulk of visitors will be back. For those who depend on tourism for their livelihood, Covid-19 has dealt them a hard blow and they have to be searching for other sources of income. This is the reality of Portland rafters, many claim they are owed funds by the government.

“The government came up with the COVID-19 care programme and the raftsmen were told that the fact that they are attached to the Tourism sector they would be benefiting,” says Winston, a Raft Captain. “The Finance Minister did promise that we will receive nine thousand every fortnight – up to today we don’t receive any.”

However, these funds have not been paid over, according to the raftsmen,

“Last night, I heard the president making remarks that we didn’t receive any and Mr. Vaz says it is a blatant lie.”

He believes that there is a need to clarify the issue and have a discussion with the relevant players. Meanwhile, PNP candidate for Portland East in agreement with the raftsmen says they have not received funds promised to them.

“What they got was savings from their own money that was given back to them. How can it be that you make a promise and these men depend on rafting for their livelihood,” says PNP Candidate for Portland East Bishop Dr. Purcell Jackson.

CVM LIVE has been advised that the raftsmen have given the government until next Friday to address the issue.