The situation in which a number of Anguillian and regional construction workers were laid off as of July 31 by Ashtrom Anguilla Ltd, the contracting firm at the Flag/Temenos project, due to a temporary cessation of work and lack of funding, is continuing with the employees still off the job.

Anguillian and Regional Workers

Over 70 workers employed by sub-contractor Harold Ruan of Comprehensive Construction Limited were laid off while the Chinese nationals continued to work. The Chinese however, eventually left the building site on the particular day when the local and regional workforce protested at the gate.
A letter to Ashtrom from the Chief Minister’s Office then, reminded the company that the services more than 60 Anguillian and regional workers had been already terminated over the past months. The Ministry advised the Israeli company that “it would be untenable and unjust if cessation of works is limited to Anguillian and regional workers only.” It further advised that “it would be necessary for the Ministry of Labour to instruct that the nationals imported from China must be repatriated in an effort to protect the local labour market… until work resumes."
Since then, Chief Minister, the Hon. Osbourne Fleming, speaking at a press briefing on August 6, said that no one was now working at the project. He said he had spoken to the owner of the property who stated that “he was actively working on getting financing for the project.” According to Mr. Fleming, the owner “went on to say that whatever financial arrangement is being made will be a permanent one whereby we would not have the ups and downs any more.”
The Chief Minister said that like all the other development on the island the money for the project was borrowed and that the project was far above its budget, but Mr. Robert Sillerman had assured the Government that the matter would be resolved soon. Mr. Fleming continued: “We reminded him that there are number of persons from overseas working on the project who are on work permits and that he should work expeditiously to have the property started again because we cannot keep hundreds of people in Anguilla not working…and what may have to happen is that we may have to repatriate them. When things are settled then they may come back.
That was not too well received because it is a bit expensive, but I think as a Government we have to take that position to let the owners know that we cannot have this project stopped indefinitely. It must resolve itself quickly and I believe this threat to send the folk back may possibly help the process to move forward.
“That’s where it is now and I told Mr. Sillerman that we are looking at closure within two weeks or thereabout. He said he would try his very best to get it done before that. The facts are clear that the financial problems in the world today are affecting Anguilla…There is a ray of hope with the oil prices dropping…That may be a saving for us but we want the project at Temenos completed. That is the only way that all of us will benefit from it when it is fully finished and operational. We want all the projects finished so that we ca begin to find employment for our people and derive the revenue that we anticipate getting from them. We will stand behind that.
“We want to make it very clear because there are a number of Anguillians who still believe that the Chinese are working and Anguillians are out. That is not the position. We are monitoring it all the time…The people (the developers) are reputable people and they take our advice as to the way forward.”
Meanwhile, on Tuesday this week a brief statement was circulated to the local media
by Flag Luxury Properties (Anguilla) Ltd. It read as follows:
“The project’s Sponsors remain committed to the project.

"We are temporarily suspending certain on-site activities. We are taking this opportunity to diligently work with our stakeholders during this short break to enhance certain elements within the project.
“We are confident we will maintain our resort’s opening schedule.”

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