Minister for Labour, Hon. Emma Hippolyte, convened a high-level stakeholder meeting to address emerging labour concerns affecting persons employed within the spa sector in Saint Lucia’s tourism industry, signaling government’s proactive approach to safeguarding workers’ rights while maintaining industrial harmony.
The meeting brought together Minister in the Ministry of Tourism Hon. John Paul Estephane, Chief Executive Officer of the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA), Mr. Noorani Azeez, Permanent Secretary in the Department of Labour Mrs. Sheila Imbert, Assistant Labour Commissioner Nicolai Lansiquot, and other key officials from the Departments of Labour and Tourism.
Discussions focused specifically on issues identified by the Department of Labour in relation to employment practices within spas operating across the island and the need for timely corrective engagement through structured dialogue with industry stakeholders.
Minister Hippolyte underscored the importance of early intervention and collaborative problem-solving in addressing sector-specific labour matters. “We had a meeting to discuss how we address issues relating to persons employed within the spas of Saint Lucia,” the Minister stated.
“The Department of Labour has identified matters that require rectification, and we felt it was important to have this initial engagement with the SLHTA and its members to determine how best we can resolve them. We have agreed to meet again on March 4, where we hope to arrive at practical solutions that will be advantageous to both spa owners and spa employees. That is how we proceed — we sit around the table and resolve issues.”
Assistant Labour Commissioner, Mr. Nicolai Lansiquot, noted that the meeting was initiated by the Minister given the gravity of concerns brought to the Department’s attention. “Bringing all stakeholders together allows for open discussion and helps us work toward an amicable resolution that benefits both the hotel and spa operators and the affected employees,” remarked Lansiquot.
As a key outcome, stakeholders agreed to a follow-up meeting scheduled for March 4, 2026 which will include broader representation from the tourism and hospitality sector, alongside the Ministers of Labour and Tourism, to determine a clear and balanced way forward.
The Ministry of Labour notes that it remains committed to constructive engagement, fair labour practices, and collaborative resolution mechanisms, particularly within critical sectors such as tourism, which remains a central pillar of Saint Lucia’s economic development.