Hoteliers are open to discussion with the Barbados Association of Creatives and Artistes (BACA) for a minimum wage for artistes.
However, they are not in agreement with claims by cultural ambassador, The Most Honourable Anthony Gabby Carter, that hotels were still paying entertainers the same wages as in 1967.
“We value entertainers and we value their role and the contribution they make to our product. So I think any of us would be prepared to have a discussion because we recognise the importance of entertainment and entertainers to our overall product,” said chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) Renée Coppin.
“We are open to any discussion that would lend to both sides having a fair arrangement. However, [artistes] are individually contracted and negotiated so I don’t think it is possible for me to say from the industry perspective that there has not been any change.” (Nation News)