Premier Smith denies knowing of Little Dix Bay Resort closure beforehand
He was today January 21, 2016 speaking at a press conference held at his Central Administration Complex conference room during which he addressed a number of concerns affecting the territory.
The Premier and Minister for Tourism also said he has since met with the 300 plus workers to be laid off to get their feedback and to let them know what Government is prepared to do to help them.
“Today I am pleased to report that we are moving forward to provide assistance to those persons. Yesterday I led a delegation for a meeting with the employees of Rosewood Little Dix Bay to hear their concerns following the announcement,” he said.
“On that trip my Minister [for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Hon Kedrick D. Pickering (R7)] along with the District Representative Dr The Honourable Hubert O’Neal, Permanent Secretaries of the Premier’s Office and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, the heads of Immigration and Labour Departments, the Chairman of the BVI Tourist Board and support staff engaged in open dialogue and candid discussions with the employees,” said the Premier.
He said that there will soon be established a help desk to provide personal assistance to all affected employees and coordinate opportunities in conjunction with the Labour Department as well as handle all their queries and concerns.
“I am indeed heartened that some members of the BVI business community and other tourism industry partners have already started to assist with providing new opportunities for the affected employees,” he said, encouraging other members of the business community to step up and do the same.
In his opening statement, he said the Rosewood Little Dix Bay Resort, which has been a staple in the tourism landscape of the Virgin Islands, would undertake the most extensive renovation and beautification project in its more than 52-year history.
“Rosewood Little Dix Bay has been in the hotel business in the BVI for quite a long time and many of the resort’s employees have been a part of the success of the hotel over the years.”
Premier to hold Rosewood Little Dix Bay accountable
He publicly expressed his thanks to the workers – of which he said some 200 of the 325 are local – for their contribution to the VI tourism industry while working at Little Dix Bay.
“We are happy to have met with the employees and we will continue to hold Little Dix Bay accountable for the promises made,” he said. He said that a team that has been put together would be collecting the names of the affected employees with a view to providing them with various forms of assistance, including connecting them with other businesses in the territory that may be able to use their skills.
He noted that during the construction phase there will be some positions available for the displaced workers.
According to Premier Smith, he did not know of the planned closure of the resort until one day before the announcement was made to the employees of the resort.
He said the resort had made several previous attempts at doing renovation but found that it could not be done at the speed required unless it completely closed its doors.
According to Premier Smith, the plans being approved has nothing to do with the date of the commencement of the works and the laying off of the workers as there was no date indicated on the plans which were approved by the Town and Country Planning Department, a Government Department which falls under the Premier’s Office.
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26 Responses to “Premier Smith denies knowing of Little Dix Bay Resort closure beforehand”
More l**s from olando
Then how effective is the tourist board director a resident of virgin gorda. Who has closed ties with little dix. Did she not know to inform the premier. Something is not adding up..
ps please let fraiser and Andrew know.
Due to the type of reason which clearly was known from year 2013 in renovating I fail to believe the Government didn't know anything. One should not take these things lightly for 325 people there are hundreds more affected children, spouse, parent when employee is the breadwinner.
POOR TING!
LMDAO!