The Tribune

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A group of Chinese construction workers from Baha Mar were protesting outside the Chinese Embassy on Shirley Street on Wednesday claiming that they have not been paid in six months and wanting to be repatriated.

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

THE DEPARTMENT of Labour has launched an official investigation into claims that nearly 50 Chinese labourers, employed at the Baha Mar construction site, have not been paid in six months.

Director of Labour, Robert Farqushon, told The Tribune yesterday that officials from the department met workers and management from the China State Construction Company and advised the employers of their obligations under the Bahamas Employment Act.

“We told them what the laws are as it relates to the fair treatment of workers and an investigation is underway to determine whether the company is compliant with Bahamian law. We will meet with them again next Friday where we will see if the issues are corrected,” he said.

“We will, as well as the company, investigate the complaints and if we see where they might not be compliant we will address those concerns at next Friday’s meeting.

“Most of the Chinese workers’ concerns had to do with pay. They complained that their contractual obligations are not being met as it relates to pay. They felt they were not being treated fairly in terms of how they are paid and when they are paid. We think it was just a misunderstanding because they have special provisions and terms in their contract for employment. For the most part all of the issues can be resolved. We to give management time to address these matters and that is what they are doing now.”

On Wednesday afternoon, the construction workers protested outside the Chinese Embassy on Shirley Street, claiming that they had not been paid since the end of last year and that they were threatened when they complained. They said they had gone to the Embassy to seek security.

In a statement, the Embassy said they requested that both Chinese companies and workers abide by the laws. “We trust that the legitimate rights and interests of both parties will be protected.”

Robert Sands, Baha Mar’s Senior Vice President of External Affairs, said: “Baha Mar is committed to the fair and equitable treatment of all workers associated with the project. The workers in question are employees of China State Construction, we are supporting China State Construction in their investigation into (the) concerns raised by their workers.”