Workers affected by Four Seasons Resort's temporary closure to get payment: Brantley

With an aim to provide relief to the workers affected by the temporary closure of Four Seasons Resorts, the Premier of Nevis Island Mark Brantley announced a payment of $1000 to the workers affected by the hotel’s temporary closure and also assured 25% salary from hotel to the workers during the closure.

In a statement, he said that we are aware of the temporary closure the Four Seasons Resort on June 01 to carry renovation work on the premises. He said that the people were first informed regarding this intended closure in the Budget debates in the Nevis Island Assembly in December of 2018. We have provided regular updates to the people since then.

"The temporary closure of the Four Seasons has negatively impacted some 361 workers there. As a government, we have engaged with the Four Seasons to see what relief could be provided to these workers during the time of closure." he said.

The Brantley said the matter was taken up with the management and the Four Seasons, rather than laying off its workers, agreed to make a gratuitous payment to each of those affected of 25% of their salaries during the period of closure. "This, they would receive regardless of whether they found temporary work in the interim," he added.

The resort has also agreed that affected workers would continue to get their full medical and other benefits during the period of the closure, and that they would be given first preference for employment during the construction phase and in any other work in landscaping or security or otherwise at the hotel during the closure.

"I am aware that some of the affected workers have been able to find alternative work at the Four Seasons during the closure and others have been able to find temporary work within the government and elsewhere in the private sector," he said.

In an effort to cushion the financial strain on workers during the closure period, Nevis administration also waived any taxes payable on the 25% and persuaded Social Security to do likewise. This means that workers would collect the full 25% salary.

"We have also written to all the banks and other financial institutions on the island, and requested that they grant some relief to workers who might have mortgages or other indebtedness to them during this difficult period," he said.

"I was very pleased at the responsiveness of the banks as most responded positively to my government’s request, and either waived principal payments during this period or in some cases waived payments altogether," he said.

"Despite our best efforts as a government however, we are nevertheless aware that many of the affected workers have suffered over the past few months from a reduction in their normal levels of income. We are also aware that at this time, many are faced with the challenge of back to school expenses to ensure that their children get their books and uniforms and other requirements for when schools reopen in September."

"To this end on June 26, 2019, the Cabinet of the Nevis Island Administration convened to consider whether the government could offer any additional relief to affected Four Seasons workers to assist them with the expected back to school expenses."

"I am pleased to report that after some deliberations and under the guidance of the Ministry of Finance, the cabinet took the decision to offer each of the affected Four Seasons workers a cash payment of $1,000 to assist in defraying back to school expenses for their children."

He said that they have decided to delay the implementation of this decision until now so as to offer the assistance at a time closest to the reopening of schools, when they expect that parents and guardians would be most challenged to find the necessary resources.

"I am therefore pleased to advise that all 361 workers affected by the closure of the Four Seasons who have been receiving the 25 percent salary from the hotel will be paid $1,000.

Cheques have been prepared by the Treasury, and I am inviting those workers to come to the Anglican Church Hall in Charlestown at any time between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Wednesday, August, 21 2019, to collect their cheques. Please take a photo ID with you. Staff from the Ministry of Finance and the Treasury will be on hand to assist you in ensuring that you receive this payment."