The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

APPROXIMATELY 40 staff members have been made redundant at Renew Bahamas since the start of June, according to the company’s new Chief Executive Officer Michael Cox.

The revelation came as the company admitted yesterday that Renew Bahamas has been forced to make some “cutbacks” as it continues to negotiate with the government on re-establishing the parameters of its management contract for the New Providence Landfill.

As a part of those cutbacks, Mr Cox also confirmed that long-standing CEO and President

Gerhard Beukes has stepped down from his position with the company.

His comments came after several disgruntled Renew Bahamas employees contacted The Tribune claiming they were owed three weeks’ pay.

Less than two weeks ago, Mr Beukes called for the company and the government to work together to reach the best solution for all concerned.

Mr Beukes told Tribune Business that Renew Bahamas had “a long list” of changes it was seeking to its management contract in order to make the landfill operation viable.

However, Mr Cox, in response to questions about the viability of the company and the status of its employees, yesterday revealed that he had ascended to the company’s most senior post as Mr Beukes had opted to step down.

“I am the CEO now. All questions related to Gerhard have to be directed to him. The specifics of his decisions are with him and my focus is the operation of Renew.”

On Wednesday, The Tribune received reports from employees who alleged that senior staff members of Renew were in the process of “packing up and moving out,” as the company was allegedly unable to pay its bills.

An employee who spoke to The Tribune on the condition of anonymity alleged that a large percentage of the company’s 120 employees haven’t been paid for roughly three weeks and were “going to work on pins and needles.”

“(People) are holding on as long as they can because jobs are hard to find. My rent is due and I have to look into my landlord’s face. You are going to work everyday – you don’t want to just leave because you have bills to pay,” the employee said.

“They are not saying anything, they just don’t have any money. We got paid something three weeks ago but we were two weeks behind at that time. Now we are on three weeks and going on four weeks.”

Another employee who asked not to be named believes Mr Beukes’ departure does not bode well for the company.

“Gerhard (Beukes) hasn’t worked a full day since December,” the employee alleged. “He has been in and out of the office for months. His office was cleared out and he hasn’t been seen since.”

“This entire process is sad because he gave the impression that he would be here long-term and now he is gone. Now they’re telling us that we are going to get paid by the end of July, but I don’t trust them at all.”

When pressed for details on these allegations Mr Cox would only state: “Mr Beukes is now a shareholder.”

Asked about claims of Mr Beukes’ office being cleared out, Mr Cox stated: “I cleared out the office and moved in.”

Renew Bahamas has said for sometime now that it could lose hundreds of thousands per month as a result of its materials recycling facility and bailer being inoperable.

In April news surfaced that Renew Bahamas had informed several of its vendors that it would be unable honour their contracts until there was a “resolution” to the discussions with the Christie administration.