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News from October 2, 2025

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JBA rejects authority of Min. of Tourism to suspend Junkanoo beach employees
Technology

JBA rejects authority of Min. of Tourism to suspend Junkanoo beach employees

Junkanoo Beach Association (JBA) President Byron Coley-Austin told Guardian Business that the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation (MOTIA) has no authority to suspend employees of any establishment on Junkanoo Beach, and calls the interference by the ministry uncalled-for and without due process. Coley-Austin was responding to questions raised by Guardian Business with regard to its receipt of two letters addressed to Junkanoo Beach vendors Sony Ben-Aime, owner of C&S Watersports; and Tonia Leary, a hair braider, informing them that members of their staff are “prohibited” from working on Junkanoo Beach. The letter to Ben-Aime, signed by Waren L.D. Johnson, director of visitor safety and security, sites and facilities at the MOTIA, and stamped on September 30, 2025, said: “The ministry formally addressed the unacceptable conduct of Isaiah Moxey of C&S Watersports. The letter notes that on Monday, June 16, 2025, Isaiah Moxey was involved in a physical altercation with an employee of another establishment on Junkanoo Beach, that resulted in Moxey sustaining injuries and requiring hospitalization. “Following the altercation, both individuals were instructed by police officers not to return to Junkanoo Beach until the matter has been resolved, as they are both considered unauthorized workers. “It is important to note that the ministry has not received the required documentation for review and approval of the employee’s employment in accordance with the ministry’s policy. Additionally, in accordance with the ministry’s beach vendor agreement, fighting and acts of violence are strictly prohibited. Compliance with this agreement is mandatory and serves as a prerequisite for the ministry to issue its letter of non-objection, which vendors must obtain annually in order to renew their business licenses. “In light of this incident and the blatant disregard for authority, the employee has been prohibited from working on Junkanoo Beach unless and until he is formally approved by the MOTIA.” Moxey told Guardian Business that the incident in question took place in June. He claimed that since that time up to the release of the letter to his employer, MOTIA security staff along with Johnson have been harassing him and threatening his employment and free movement on Junkanoo Beach. He also claimed that at the time of the altercation in question, he was not on the job and was on his day off when the incident occurred. The second letter to Leary, also stamped on September 30, 2025, was with regard to the arrest of one of her employees for a drug possession arrest, that the letter said took place on September 25, 2025. The letter acknowledges that drug possession with the intent to supply is a serious breach of the laws of The Bahamas, and that the employee was placed on indefinite suspension, effective immediately, and is prohibited from working on Junkanoo Beach until further notice. Coley-Austin said that with regard to the employee of Leary, he was charged but never convicted of drug possession with the intent to supply, and he calls Johnson’s approach to the matter premature and intrusive to Leary and her staff member. Coley-Austin, in a statement sent to Guardian Business about the letters, said: “On behalf of the JBA, we write to urgently request an intervention into matters of serious concern regarding the conduct of the MOTIA’s security personnel, in particular its director of security. “Our association and its members have recently been subjected to escalating harassment, intimidation, and surveillance. Letters have been circulated to our staff without due process, and actions have been taken which appear designed to discredit and demoralize both our employees and executives. These actions go well beyond professional oversight and instead reflect an abuse of authority that has no place in a democratic society.” Guardian Business contacted the MOTIA to get further comment on this matter, but there has been no response up to press time.

Youri Kemp Senior Business Reporter
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