Violence Puts RIU Palace Hotel Project on Hold in Jamaica

A violent clash between security guards and workers on the site of the 850-room RIU Palace Hotel in Mammee Bay, St. Ann, last week forced contractors, Tort Marley Ltd., to close down the project temporarily.

However, four men who were taken into custody by the police in connection with the disturbance were later released by the police without being charged.

In the meantime, a spokesman for the contractors, Tort Marley Ltd., said the work on the site had been temporarily halted until they have met with the subcontractors to have the dispute amicably resolved so that work can be resumed this week.

The clash was triggered by an ugly protest Friday morning which led to the blocking of the busy Ocho Rios to St. Ann´s Bay main road and the torching of the main security post on the site. The angry protesters also damaged the chain link perimeter fence around the $45 million property, which forms part of the RIU Group chain from Spain.

The workers say they are being treated unfairly by the contractors, who in addition to not paying them well, have subjected them to inhumane working conditions and that "they cannot take it any more".

A team of officers from the St. Ann´s Bay police were able to bring the situation under control while the fire was put out by a unit from the Ocho Rios Fire Station.