The Tribune

Sandals Resorts International has released a statement in response to a story in the Punch newspaper with the headline: "PM Tells Sandals Boss Butch He has to Hire More Bahamians".

The statement says: “Sandals Resorts International is disappointed at the misinformation published this morning by The Punch in an article under the headline: 'PM Tells Sandals Boss Butch He has to Hire More Bahamians'.

“The piece asserts that Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie and Chairman of Sandals Resorts International Gordon “Butch” Stewart met in Exuma earlier this month to discuss among other things, the hiring of more Bahamians at the property, allowing Bahamians to run shops within the confines of Sandals Emerald Bay and further changes to the resort’s operations.

“The article further suggested that the Prime Minister instigated talks after receiving complaints of ill-treatment from Emerald Bay team members. Nothing can be further from the truth.

“Sandals Resorts International has had fruitful and cordial talks with Prime Minister Christie and his government with regard to its Emerald Bay, Exuma property and Sandals Royal Bahamian in New Providence.

“These talks have been productive and beneficial to both the company and the government. The Prime Minister and his government are well aware of Sandals Resort International’s commitment to The Bahamas and the people of Exuma.

“Mr. Christie and his government has been, without exception, supportive of Sandals’ presence in The Bahamas.

“While in the past Prime Minister Christie has expressed his interest in seeing more Bahamians employed at Sandals Emerald Bay; in recent times he has praised both the advancements made in this regard as well as the many community projects initiated by Sandals to the benefit of the people of Exuma.”