GTUC needs to look at bigger picture - CEO Atlantic Hotels Inc, Winston Brassington
The use of a mostly Chinese labour force to construct the multi-million dollar Marriott Hotel was just one of several conditionalities necessary for the facility’s efficient and speedy construction, Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic Hotels (AHI) Winston Brassington said.
In an invited comment to the Government Information Agency, Brassington said that despite being put to public tender, only two companies submitted bids for the hotel’s construction. This was after 23 firms initially indicated their interest and seven were shortlisted. Brassington said that Shanghai Construction Group’s initial bid, the lower of the two bidding companies, was US$ 65M, but they were able to lower the cost to US$51M with the condition that they be able to control who they employ on the site.
Shanghai Construction Group indicated that they had examined the level of skills available for the project as well as the levels of productivity. Brassington added that while the company was asked to employ locals, it was obvious that if the construction of the flagship hotel was to be completed within the specified time, they must have the flexibility of the inputs. Despite this, the construction company had to comply with the local laws and norms, Brassington said, “For example, even though all of these workers have come by plane and will be here for the duration of the contract they have to pay NIS and PAYE, so in that way we’re not creating a playing field where they are given any preference over local employment”.
200 Guyanese to gain employment
The project will eventually employ over 200 Guyanese, Brassington said once it opens its doors next year, and these will be the permanent workers.
The Chinese on the site are temporary and will leave once construction is completed, he noted. The progress has been rapid and given the type of construction, it may be a record of sorts in the field, according to Brassington as the pace has been outstanding. The issue of productivity and communication would be a cause for concern, he further noted and additionally the lack of specialised skill needed for the tasks needs to be recognised, he said.
The criticisms by the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) about the project’s use of Chinese labour should be put into perspective. He noted that next to the Marriot site, is the Pegasus Hotel which has refused to accede to demands for a workers’ union to represent the staff.
“The more glaring example is where Mr. Badal owner of the Pegasus has more or less busted the union; I don’t see the GTUC coming out on that issue”.
The Pegasus has been in operation in Guyana in the 1960s and had long-standing relations with the union. Many of the staffers have been employed for years, yet the GTUC has not made a major issue of this. “This is another example of selectively attacking what the government is doing and it’s not fair and valid when they look at everything around them,” the head of AHI noted.
The hotel, when completed will boast 197 rooms, a large ballroom, conference centre, a casino, nightclub, restaurant, a concrete walkway and all other amenities of a world-class hotel.
