The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie admitted yesterday that great efforts must be made between Baha Mar and the government to see eye to eye as the development advances to completion.

In the wake of the alleged unannounced termination of 140 Wyndham employees, Mr Christie openly chastised Baha Mar chief Sarkis Ismirilian at a celebration of the Chinese New year over the weekend. 

The Tribune on Tuesday broke the story that he had singled out Mr Ismirilian who was absent from the event criticising him about Baha Mar and the government’s relationship. He suggested that some contention existed.

Outside of the Cabinet office, Mr Christie responded to questions from reporters on the matter.

“I think both Mr Ismirilian and myself,” Mr Christie said, “we are aware of the extent to which we had very good relations in the past. I think we both feel that a much greater effort must be made for the parties to be on the same page moving forward.”

“The fact of the matter is that the government must continue to work at strengthening its relationship with investors and developers.”

The FNM has since criticised Mr Christie’s judgment through a press statement saying that it was in poor taste to use the Chinese New Year celebrations to make his remarks.

“The FNM wholeheartedly,” the statement said, “believes in holding foreign investors accountable. But there is a right way and a wrong way to do things. The PM’s way was the wrong way. Those remarks should have been made behind closed doors.”

Mr Christie had not been made aware of the hotel’s actions despite Labour Minister Shane Gibson’s admission that he was days before informed by officials of what was to come.

While he said the government has its hands tied when dealing with private sector employee relations, Mr Christie said provisions must be put in place to better protect the interest of workers.

“The government cannot interfere with decisions of employers when employers make those decisions. You saw that with the 800 people who were laid off at Atlantis a few years ago.

“What we are able to do though is to be able to sit with the employers with a view to try to understand the basis for their decision. It will give us the greater understanding of an industry where more protection should be put in place for workers so that there is really sufficient notice given to people to enable them to prepare for what could be a disastrous outcome for themselves.”

A meeting between Baha Mar officials and the government is expected to take place this week, Mr Christie said.