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September 12, 2008
Tension surfacing between Haitian and Jamaican exotic dancers
“Mek dem gwan cause nuh baddi nuh betta dan yardie,” an exotic dancer told reporters recently as she scoffed at the idea that Haitian dancers were helping to increase business at a particular night club, as was reported by the club’s owner.
However the reality is that some night clubs in St Ann, St. Catherine and Portland have been featuring a number of Haitian exotic dancers over the past few weeks; and this situation has resulted in a brewing confrontation between Jamaican dancers and the foreigners.
Said to be part of the guns for drugs trade illicit operation, these women are also reportedly coming into Jamaica after paying hefty price tags that go up to US$1,600 just to be able to dance in Jamaican clubs.
Jamaican dancers have been more than disgruntled, claiming the Haitians are undercharging and robbing their customers. Dancing duties for which Jamaican dancers charge J$2,000, go for J$700 with the Haitian exotics. Nervous that the Haitians are attacking their livelihood by attempting to “take over the turf,” Jamaican dancers have been not only become outspoken towards their competition, they are also slamming into the men who patronize them saying they will never get anything better from the Haitian women.
No physical conflict has taken place, but the tension is high, with some clubs reporting that the Jamaican dancers sometimes opt against even sharing the same stage with the Haitians. Besides the Jamaicans’ attempts to dance even more sensually, the Haitians get the biggest applause and the most attention.
Investigations are ongoing, said the head of operation Kingfish who reportedly confirmed that the influx of Haitian women in recent weeks is as a result of the guns for drugs trade.