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Press Release From Independent Source

Gov't to help laid off Biras Creek Resort employees find work

After Virgin Islands News Online broke the news on June 16, 2015 that Biras Creek Resort had laid off all its employees and shutting down operations, Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith released a statement to the media in which he said he knew of the impending closure only last Friday June 13, 2015. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- After Virgin Islands News Online broke the news on June 16, 2015 that Biras Creek Resort had laid off all its employees and shutting down operations, Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith released a statement to the media in which he said he knew of the impending closure only last Friday June 13, 2015.

See full statement below:

Ladies and gentleman, Biras Creek Resort has been one of the BVI’s leading hotel properties for several decades and has served the people of the BVI well. In recent years, since 2006 it has been operated by Mr David Johnson under his Victor International Properties brand, through a leasehold arrangement with Biras Creek Resorts.

Last week Friday, I met with Mr Johnson who advised me that regrettably, after 9 years of millions of dollars of capital injections and significant operational costs (losses) it had become impossible to continue to operate the hotel as a viable business venture. Therefore, he would be giving up his lease arrangements and shutting down operations at the resort on June 16, 2015.

I am very disheartened at these turn of events and deeply empathise with the workers and families, and the people of Virgin Gorda Community who will be impacted by its closure. I am hopeful that we can find a way to re-open the property in the Fall.

Indeed, I am optimistic and my Government will work with the resort’s owners, through their local representative to explore all avenues to do just that. There are some 73 workers who will be affected, among them, 23 BVIslanders.

I am aware that Mr Johnson and his senior management team have held discussions with all the staffers to explain the resort’s closure. Indeed this is a difficult issue, not just for the staffers and their families, but for the Territory.

There is some solace, even in this unfortunate event. I am pleased that notwithstanding the resort’s closure, all staffers will continue to be paid until the usual shut down period of August 15 this year. Moreover, Mr Johnson has agreed that ALL employees, including those that were employed with the resort prior to it being operated by Victor Properties, will be paid full redundancy benefits in accordance with the Labour Code. In addition, I understand that Mr Johnson will be transitioning approximately 18 of the workers, by employing them at his Oil Nut Bay property.

My Government will do everything possible to soften the impact of the resort closure on the workers, their families and the community. Already, We have asked the Labour Ministry to facilitate as efficiently as possible, the transitioning of any of the workers to other employment opportunities that they may find. We are engaging other resorts to determine whether there are opportunities to place any of the workers. We have asked the Immigration Department to allow the workers that are subject to immigration control appropriate time to seek and find other job opportunities.

In the coming days, we will be setting up a help desk and reassigning one of our experts in tourism to assist all staff in this transition. As I intimated earlier I shall be engaging with the resort’s owners to discuss the possibilities of having the resort re-opened.

I wish to once again express my deep regret and empathy for the staffers of the resort and their families. We will offer the hand of support of the Government in the best ways possible. I call on the rest of the business community to provide new opportunities for the affected workers. I ask for the continued support of this entire community as we move to broaden and deepen our economy so that as these inevitable circumstances arise, workers could be absorbed seamlessly into a bigger and stronger economy. Thank You.

8 Responses to “Gov't to help laid off Biras Creek Resort employees find work”

  • jj (17/06/2015, 07:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Blam blam blah
  • ann (17/06/2015, 07:09) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    We are not buying it ndp does not care about the people
  • Voter Too (17/06/2015, 07:57) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    The government knew about it long before the election but this was one of the strategies of keeping silent as not to lose the election and to keep you silent also with the white envelopes
  • Marie (17/06/2015, 09:41) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    That is a blatant lie when you all is going to be honest to the voters who stand in the hot sun to vote for you all at least give them that respect be honest to the voters DOC stop telling lies.
  • Hmm (17/06/2015, 10:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    who wants to bet that they had full knowledge? me, because #1 and 2 of NDP are rumored to be getting homes in the development by mr johnson . . .

  • not the US (17/06/2015, 14:05) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply

    So the same David (Victor) Johnson has managed Biras Creek for its actual owners. Same fellow who represents
    various investors in Oil Nut Bay, nearby. I really enjoyed going to Biras Creek, yet at same time concerned about
    this Mr. Johnson's entire Oil Nut project. Hard to believe same person involved in both. 
    Thanks Mr. Johnson for screwing one of my favorite places on Earth. Go home.

  • voter (17/06/2015, 15:48) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    in times like deeds I wish we had fraser at the helm
  • helping hand (19/06/2015, 14:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just deport David V Johnson, and give all his money to the employees of Biras Creek Resort. Keep it open and have
    a big party. Perhaps the Premier and Governor are listening....? Help the people here.


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