By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
FORMER employees of Baha Mar will start receiving cheques from the Claims Committee established to administer payouts on September 27, according to a notice published yesterday.
The cheques are expected to cover unpaid salaries, accrued vacation pay, severance pay and payments in lieu of notice.
A notice published in The Nassau Guardian said former workers could collect cheques at the Crystal Palace Training Hotel Casino entrance from September 27-29. Differing dates and location were published in The Tribune yesterday, but Claims Committee Chairman James Smith clarified that they were incorrect as they reflected the committee’s earlier but subsequently altered decision.
Earlier yesterday, Mr Smith said that while the money to pay former employees and Baha Mar creditors has not been deposited as yet, it is “on its way”.
The money will come from the Export-Import bank of China (CEXIM).
“Much of the ground work, identifying people and getting notices out and arranging logistics is complete,” he said yesterday. “The other part is establishing appropriate financial arrangements, accounts to receive funds, determining the manner in which it will be dispersed and implementing safeguards to protect it. That is already done as well.”
According to the notice in the Nassau Guardian, the Claims Committee will issue cheques to employees through an alphabetically ordered system so that those with last names beginning with the letters A through F will collect payments on September 27. Those with last names beginning with the letters G through O will collect their cheques on September 28 and those with last names beginning with the letters P through Z will collect their cheques on September 29.
“We want it to be done in an orderly fashion,” Mr Smith told The Tribune.
“The idea would be to use an alphabetical order to avoid too many people having to endure standing up and having too many people required in one setting to get into a room. We want an orderly process where people would come in and out.”
The committee will inform former Baha Mar employees of the amounts owed to them by contacting them on the last email address Baha Mar has for them on record.
“In order to receive your payment through this process, you will be required to assign your claim,” the newspaper notice said. “A standard template of this notice and frequently asked questions for former employees can be viewed at the website, claimsspv.net.”
Mr Smith acknowledged that the method of emailing is likely to be inadequate for reaching every former employee of Baha Mar.
“Some of them might have had a computer but in the more than a year since being terminated they may have sold it,” Mr Smith noted. “Many who might have had an email address that is on Baha Mar’s records may have changed their email address.”
Nonetheless, the newspaper notice provided a solution to those not contacted via email by the committee.
“If you do not receive an email from the committee and previously received a notice of redundancy letter from Baha Mar in October 2015, you do not need to submit any further information at this time,” the notice said. “Please come in person on the appropriate cheque collection date and you will be provided with your notice. At that time, you will be required to assign your claim and provide relevant identification as outlined above in order to collect your cheque.”
Comments
BoopaDoop 7 years, 7 months ago
Let's hope that they stick to this date and follow through with no excuses.
sheeprunner12 7 years, 7 months ago
............ and what will the payees get?????? ................. or will they get treated like the Sandals workers???????
banker 7 years, 7 months ago
They haven't got the money yet.
But don't worry, it's on its way.
Waiting .... waiting ...
Why on God's green earth would they publish a list if the money has not arrived?
TalRussell 7 years, 7 months ago
Comrade Banker, it's called the Public Treasury - where the peoples moneys once was stored for safe keeping in the vaults, have been replaced with IOU's to foreigners.
Comrade Banker, you will remember, that 2000 Baha Mar workers have already been paid by the Public Treasury, to sit home on their asses for something like 2 years. and even if the Chinese moneys arrives, it will not be without so many costly to taxpayers' concessions strings attached.
The public MUST be provided with a list of every name that moneys are being paid out to, and for what, and how much. The most favoured politically connected names and their companies, family members, receiving moneys or special concessions. should be highlighted.
banker 7 years, 7 months ago
Sighhh. I suspect that you are right.
The scenario will play out this way:
(1) James Smith will point out that the money is "on the way -- dead good news, but just a lil late". (2) So the gubment says that they will pay it for now, and when the money comes, they will pay themselves back (3) the Chinese will not send the money and the gubment will hope that no one asks if the money has come in yet.
TalRussell 7 years, 7 months ago
What the heck Comrade Banker, is James Smith wearing some kinds clairvoyant channeling headdress? How else could he see all that Chinese moneys, neatly stashed behind the steel vault's doors at the Bank Bahamaland?
I can only wish I could take credit for having made-up such a Tall Tale, in me head. Kanaval's Paul Major's, explanations about audits are mere fish stories compared to James's...I see Chinese's moneys, through steel doors!
InvestorsAreWatching 7 years, 7 months ago
Keep dreaming TalRussell, their going to pay the people with Monopoly money. It's unbelievable how easy it is to con you. I'm selling a bridge, it was named after George Washington, would you like to buy it. It will only cost you $4,000 dollars, I'll even bring it to you.....LOL?
DDK 7 years, 7 months ago
It is all pure poppycock! Fire the government!
stillwaters 7 years, 7 months ago
Its not as if money is sent by actual mail anymore. Usually done with a click of the mouse now, so what's with this 'is on the way?' drama???
islandlad 7 years, 7 months ago
This is a blanket announcement and for the first time that I can remember, it isn't specifically isolating out "Bahamian" employees rather just past employees. Is this to mean that even foreigners/expats are eligible as well and can show up for their payment. Many indeed may not have current email address from two years ago and hence if the afore mentioned solution to that is just show up, does this mean their checks will be ready??
Sickened 7 years, 7 months ago
This money will come in cash an most of it will be paid out in cash. Only ex-workers will get a cheque. Then someone will rob some MP's house and there will be lots of cash stolen with no way to account for where the cash came from.
MonkeeDoo 7 years, 7 months ago
I don't think anyone told them they getting cheques drawn in Renmimbi currency on Heng Seng Bank. Heng Seng been closed couple years now. And James tryin ta learn Mandarin fast cuz thats all the speakin now.
sealice 7 years, 7 months ago
I thought construction was supposed to start at the end of the month?
banker 7 years, 7 months ago
Did the money come yesterday???? I can hardly wait!! How come there is no big announcement of the money arriving? Both Prime Minister Crisco Butt and Little Jimmy Smith said it would be here by yesterday.
InvestorsAreWatching 7 years, 7 months ago
The PLP mafia and dictator Perry "Birdieshrachan" Christie were out yesterday shopping for every possible Monopoly game available to use the fake money to pay the people. But when they went to the bank to make a deposit, the manager told them to get the hell out and never return as he kicked Christie's fat ass out the door. So caught between a rock and a hard place, they had no choice but to withdraw it out of their own account, which is still your money anyway.
banker 7 years, 7 months ago
Sighhhh. Disappointment again.
by banker
InvestorsAreWatching 7 years, 7 months ago
OMG banker, that made my morning!....HAHAHA!......OMG, I believe I've pissed in my pants laughing so hard!
ashley14 7 years, 7 months ago
I hope they do as they have promised.
banker 7 years, 7 months ago
In today's Guardian, Little Jimmy is quoted as saying that the money is in a Bahamian bank. If he can prove that it came from China and not from the treasury, I will eat my shirt. Still waiting to see if Bahamians get paid and construction is started within the next 10 business days as promised.
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