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There could be a shutdown of the island's two international airports, as a sick-out by air traffic controllers is likely to continue on Thursday January 31.
Managers at the Civil Aviation Authority have been operating airport towers since the controllers took industrial action Wednesday afternoon.
But there is uncertainty whether the managers will be physically able to continue monitoring planes in Jamaica's airspace for much longer.
An emergency meeting, which was held Wednesday evening at the Ministry of Labour, failed to reach a settlement.
Labour Minister Pearnel Charles requested that the controllers return to work ahead of another meeting at the Ministry Thursday morning.
A spokesman for the air traffic controllers indicated Wednesday night that the sick out would continue.
When RJR News Centre contacted Mr Charles, he said if normality does not return, the workers' grouses would not be discussed at Thursday morning's meeting.
He said, "We requested an immediate resumption of work, but they advised us that they could not guarantee that the workers would return to work tonight, but they would use all their influence to see that some normalcy returns. We are advising them that for us to meet with them and to discuss the issues, we require that they return to work."
The industrial action was sparked by a dispute over the number of hours the air traffic controllers can work.
It is reported that they have been accused of abusing the overtime work system.
The controllers have also complained about the dictatorial leadership style of behaviour one of their managers.
Managers at the Civil Aviation Authority have been operating airport towers since the controllers took industrial action Wednesday afternoon.
But there is uncertainty whether the managers will be physically able to continue monitoring planes in Jamaica's airspace for much longer.
An emergency meeting, which was held Wednesday evening at the Ministry of Labour, failed to reach a settlement.
Labour Minister Pearnel Charles requested that the controllers return to work ahead of another meeting at the Ministry Thursday morning.
A spokesman for the air traffic controllers indicated Wednesday night that the sick out would continue.
When RJR News Centre contacted Mr Charles, he said if normality does not return, the workers' grouses would not be discussed at Thursday morning's meeting.
He said, "We requested an immediate resumption of work, but they advised us that they could not guarantee that the workers would return to work tonight, but they would use all their influence to see that some normalcy returns. We are advising them that for us to meet with them and to discuss the issues, we require that they return to work."
The industrial action was sparked by a dispute over the number of hours the air traffic controllers can work.
It is reported that they have been accused of abusing the overtime work system.
The controllers have also complained about the dictatorial leadership style of behaviour one of their managers.
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