Updated 4:24 p.m. Tuesday April 28, 2020, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Miami, Florida (ONE NEWS SVG) – Cruise giant, royal Caribbean Cruise lines, announced today (April 28), a USD $400 payout to each of its employees.
In a statement posted on its website, the company stated that: “Once again Royal Caribbean has proven that the company truly cares about the shipboard employees. Even in these difficult times for all, the company decided each crew member to receive a $400 goodwill pay”.
The more than 300 Vincentians employed by the company are expected to benefit from the measure.
It comes at a time when there is a national discussion as to who would fund the quarantine of 329 Vincentian sailors upon their return to SVG.
See – Sailor’s Quarantine Could Cost Over EC $1,000,000
Some sailors have vehemently opposed the government’s position in requiring the cruise lines to meet quarantine costs, saying to would be in breech of a Gateway-to-Gateway contract.
See – Vincentian Sailor Says “Stop The Nonsense”
Others was said that they will refuse to contribute to their own quarantine.
Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves had said on WEFM on April 26 that hoteliers have negotiated a fee of EC$150 per night, inclusive of three meals and that cruise lines should pay this fee for a quarantine period of 14 days.
In a letter distributed among all crew members aboard Royal Caribbean ships the company said:
“We recognize that financial stress can be a reality for many during this uncertainty, so we are pleased to let you know that we are granting you a one-time goodwill payment of up to US$400 over the next 30 days. Starting April 25, and calculated daily, you will be granted up to $400 USD paid for a maximum of 30 days or until you sign off the ship, whichever occurs first. This payment is not calculated based on your regular wages since your contract have concluded and you are in a non-working capacity on the ship.
The statement continued:
We hope this gesture demonstrates how much we deeply appreciate all that you have endured, and we look forward to the day soon where we are back together and doing what we do best – providing great vacation experience to our guests.”
One News SVG will follow up on this story.
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