Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Work resumed at the Fiesta hotel construction site in Point, Hanover yesterday amidst reports that a large number of persons were barred from entering the premises because they did not have identification badges.

The Gleaner also learnt that outstanding payments were not paid on Monday, as Minister of Labour and Social Security, Derrick Kellier, had instructed.

Developers were forced to temporarily shut down work on the site on February 27 following a massive protest by workers, after the police allegedly shot one of their colleagues. The workers were also protesting against the non-payment of salaries, which had been owed to them from as far back as late last year.

Violent confrontation

Buildings and vehicles were torched in the violent confrontation between the workers and members of the security forces, and for two weeks there was no work on the site where the Spanish have undertaken a US$150 million (J$10 billion) investment. Some foreign workers had to be rescued by helicopter.

But last Friday, Minister Kellier, the police and Fiesta representatives held a meeting, which was aimed at resolving the issues.

Following the meeting, Mr. Kellier announced that all outstanding payments would be made on March 12, while work was scheduled to resume yesterday.

Lloyd Hill, People's National Party (PNP) Councillor for the Sandy Bay division - where the development is taking place, said yesterday that he had seen activities takingplace on Monday, which suggested that payments were being honoured.

Contractors making payments

"Contractors were busily paying at different locations within Lucea, so I would imagine that most of the payments, if not all were actually made on Monday. I have not been to the site today (yesterday) but I don't see why work would not have resumed," he said.

Meanwhile, Mayor of Lucea, Vasca Brown said to the best of his knowledge, work had resumed and things were going smoothly at the site.