Mahahual, Q.R. — Restaurant workers at Puerto Costa Maya in Mahahual blocked road access to the port Thursday. The large group of restaurant workers were demanding better work conditions, claiming abuses against employees after the dismissal of one of their own.

The restaurant workers started the blockade at the entrance to the Mahahual cruise ship dock 8:00 a.m. Thursday. The protest started after they claimed the unjustified dismissal of one of their colleagues.
Their blockade affected one arriving cruise ship, several tourists buses and dozens of locals who were not able to enter or leave the site.
At the beginning of the protest, the workers stated that the restaurant’s head waiter was fired by a unilateral decision of the Royal Caribbean Group’s Human Resources Department. They decided to block access to the cruise ship dock as a pressure measure.

The protesters also said they will remain at this point until a company executive agrees to reinstate their colleague in her position. However, Royal Caribbean has disclaimed the invovled restaurant, clarifying they do not own it, nor are they associated with it.
RIGHT OF REPLY: ROYAL CARIBBEAN DISCLAIMS ITSELF

“Regarding the recent blockade at the Mahahual cruise port by restaurant workers, we would like to point out that the restaurant in question is not owned by or affiliated in any way with Royal Caribbean Group or any of its brands.
“Royal Caribbean Group has no control or influence over the hiring or firing decisions of the aforementioned restaurant. We reiterate Royal Caribbean Group’s commitment to local communities, and we constantly work to have a positive influence on the development of all the destinations in which we operate.”