RIU Hotels has made a significant commitment to supporting its employees as part of its Proudly Committed sustainable strategy. The company has mobilized a fund totaling US$1,000,000 to aid staff and facilitate the recovery from recent challenges. Of this amount, 80% is specifically allocated to assist employees directly, demonstrating RIU’s dedication to its workforce.
Aid packages being assembled
The fund has been put to work in several constructive ways, including $570,000 earmarked for reconstruction materials to repair staff homes and $230,000 designated for immediate aid packages that provide essential items. In addition, RIU has introduced an interest-free credit line of $1,300,000 to assist staff in managing damages effectively.
Community Engagement Initiatives
Beyond employee support, RIU is actively engaging with the local community in Jamaica. The remaining 20% of the aid fund is devoted to humanitarian efforts, including a collaboration with the Jamaica Basic School Foundation that has secured $200,000 for humanitarian aid. This initiative aims to provide 1,750 support packages to remote communities that lack adequate assistance.
Additionally, RIU has partnered with World Central Kitchen to deliver more than 7,000 meals daily from Negril and Montego Bay to the most affected areas. This program not only ensures that residents receive a hot meal each day but also generates employment for RIU staff while services return to normal.
RIU’s Commitment to Jamaica
With a presence in Jamaica for over 24 years, RIU operates seven hotels in key locations including Negril, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Falmouth, offering more than 4,000 rooms and employing a workforce of over 4,000 individuals. The opening of the Riu Palace Aquarelle last year exemplifies the company’s unwavering commitment to the island, solidifying its status as a vital market within RIU’s Caribbean portfolio.
Caption for lead image: Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, congratulates RIU team members during his visit to Riu Ocho Rios
