Minister of Labour Colin Jordan has served warning to hoteliers and other employers that they will be held liable for severance due to laid off workers.

Addressing the annual general meeting of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, Mr. Jordan, declared that if necessary government will pay the severance.

But he also served notice that government will then go after the delinquent employers.

Meantime, some key tourism players, including hoteliers and villa operators such as Andrew Mallalieu, pointed out to the minister that their clients – tour operators and guests, are requesting to do business with properties where the staff are vaccinated.

The hoteliers called for a dialogue on how this problem will be addressed. Mr. Jordan agreed but also warned that businesses can’t force staff to be vaccinated.