KINGSTON, Jamaica; April 09, 2020 – The Jamaican government swiftly responded to the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its vital tourism sector by launching the COVID-19 Allocation of Resources for Employees (CARE) program. Hon. Edmund Bartlett, the Minister of Tourism, announced with optimism the immediate uptake of this crucial financial aid initiative, revealing that within hours of its launch, the program’s website had already received over 7,000 applications. This rapid response underscores the urgent need for support within the tourism industry and the effectiveness of the We Care Program Jamaica in addressing this crisis.
During a digital press briefing, Minister Bartlett highlighted the impressive initial success of the program, stating, “I am pleased to advise that as of now, the Government of Jamaica’s site for the stimulus package has had 7,000 applications and 6,500 of those applications have already been approved.” This early success demonstrated the program’s efficiency and the government’s commitment to quickly disbursing aid to those in need.
The we care program jamaica, spearheaded by the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, is designed to provide essential financial assistance through grants and relief packages across various sectors of the Jamaican economy. Recognizing the particularly severe impact of the pandemic on tourism, the CARE program incorporated specific components tailored to support this industry. These components include:
- Business Employee Support and Transfer of Cash (BEST Cash): Aimed at providing businesses with the means to continue supporting their employees.
- Tourism Grant: Direct financial grants to tourism-related businesses to help them navigate the economic downturn.
- Supporting Employees with Transfer of Cash (SET Cash) Programme: Direct cash transfers to tourism employees who have been affected by job losses or reduced income.
Applications for these specialized tourism support initiatives, along with other CARE program benefits, are accessible through the official we care program jamaica website: www.wecare.gov.jm.
Minister Bartlett further elaborated on the extensive reach of the we care program jamaica within the tourism sector, outlining 19 distinct categories of businesses and workers poised to benefit. This comprehensive list encompasses a wide spectrum of tourism stakeholders, including:
- Jamaica Tourist Board licensed hotels, attractions, villas, and apartments
- Jamaica Tourist Board licensed water sport operators, tour operators, and guest houses
- Jamaica Tourist Board licensed homestay businesses, car rentals, and bike rentals
- In-Bond Merchants
- Travel Agency Companies
- Raft Captains
- Craft Vendors and Producers
- Contract Carriage Businesses
- Airport Red Cap Porters
- Golf Caddies
- Tour Guides
This detailed categorization emphasizes the we care program jamaica’s commitment to supporting both direct and indirect contributors to the tourism industry. Minister Bartlett noted, “These categories are in our direct and indirect tourism partners. We then have the induced, such as the thousands who are involved in agriculture, manufacturing, the service industry and a number of other key areas that are central to the tourism delivery system.” He clarified that the program’s benefits would extend beyond these 19 categories to encompass the broader network of industries that support tourism.
The Tourism Ministry is actively participating in the COVID-19 Taskforce, playing a crucial role in driving the implementation of this vital stimulus package for tourism stakeholders. The Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) and the Jamaica Tourist Board are collaborating to gather data from subsector suppliers, such as craft vendors and transportation operators, through Destination Assurance Managers. This proactive data collection ensures that these essential contributors to the tourism ecosystem can effectively access the benefits offered by the we care program jamaica.
Minister Bartlett emphasized the strategic importance of the we care program jamaica in paving the way for tourism recovery. “It has become clear, that the pathway for the tourism recovery is being laid – it begins with the workers of the industry,” he stated. He proudly affirmed the government’s proactive stance, adding, “I am proud to say that my Government has made the first and important move, to secure the well-being of the workers in the tourism industry and also for all workers of Jamaica.”
The application window for the we care program jamaica was set to close on June 30th, with beneficiaries anticipated to receive payments within 30 days of application submission and confirmation of eligibility. The Ministry of Finance and Public Service acknowledged the high volume of applications led to some users experiencing website glitches. However, they assured the public that teams were working diligently to resolve these issues and ensure smooth access to the program for all eligible applicants.
In conclusion, the we care program jamaica stands as a testament to the Jamaican government’s swift and decisive action to mitigate the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic on its tourism sector. By providing crucial financial support to a wide range of tourism workers and businesses, the program not only offered immediate relief but also laid a foundation for the industry’s eventual recovery and resurgence.
