St. GEORGE'S, Grenada, May 19th 2011 -  Members of the Her Majesty’s Opposition are calling on the Government to come to a speedy settlement with Consolidated Contractors so that workers previously employed by the company can return to work. 

According to former Works Minister, Hon. Gregory Bowen, ‘If Government were to change their plan of removing CCC and accept the consultant recommendation which will satisfy government’s requirements, not only will it impact positively on the unemployment situation in Grenada which is now close to 40% but it will bring great relief to the suffering workers and their family.”

According to Bowen already some workers have lost their vehicles and property as they were unable to meet their monthly obligations to financial institutions on the island and forty more are facing losing their homes.

Many are also finding it difficult to provide for their families and send their children to school.  Bowen noted that these workers for many years had absolutely no problems meeting their financial commitments until the NDC Government destroyed their lives. 

The former Minister said since the NDC Government terminated the contract with CCC forcing them to leave the island, about six different deadlines were given for the recommencement.  As it now stands, there is a high probability that the financing for the project may be cancelled and any new application and tendering process will see much higher prices - 2013 at the earliest - being used to the detriment of Grenada, while over 300 workers continue to remain unemployed and frustrated.  Bowen points out that the government even after committing the ‘crime’ of refusing financing from CCC and unceremoniously dismissing the company, created the impasse by refusing to accept remobilization cost in the preliminaries and claiming that the ratio is too high.  “If you sent them packing then you must be prepared to cover the cost of their coming back - this is obvious” Bowen said.  “This supports the premise that they want another contractor.”

The Opposition is therefore appealing to the Government to think about the plight of the CCC worker and to immediately provide employment for them by any available means. 

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