The benefits that Guyana will obtain with the presence of the Marriott hotel should not be ignored, according to Labour Minister Dr. Nanda Gopaul, who says that trade-offs have to be made in order for development to take place.
Gopaul was at the time speaking on the National Communications Network (NCN) programme Focus, when he made the statements, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported on Thursday.
According to GINA, the minister said that while he would like to see Guyanese working alongside foreign workers on any project, there are times when concessions have to be made, especially when negotiating contracts with deadlines. “There are specific terms that are negotiated, and it was agreed that Chinese workers, skilled workers would be put in the main part for the commencement of the project. All of the local labour laws the Chinese are complying with,” he is quoted as saying.
He also said that despite the sentiments of the labour unions, there are certain projects where certain things will have to be conceded if one wants to see development. He added while there are some skilled local workers who would be able to work on the site, the contractor would want a labour force that he was comfortable with and could maintain a certain pace and standard.
Both the parliamentary opposition and labour groups have registered their objections to the absence of Guyanese in the Marriott construction. There have also been protests at the work site.
Most recently, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), which is seen as sympathetic to the government, slammed the shutout of Guyanese workers from the project, for which it blamed the special purposes company set up for the construction, Atlantic Hotels Inc (AHI), and not the Chinese contractor, Shanghai Construction Group.
In a statement on Tuesday, FITUG, which includes prominent unions like GAWU, the GLU and NAACIE, held AHI responsible for not insisting that available Guyanese with required skills and expertise be given first consideration for employment in the project. The statement came a day after the PPP denounced the varied attacks on the use of Chinese labour at Marriott as racist.
Gopaul, formerly a prominent FITUG activist, said following two recent site visits, he has “never seen such a project executed at such a pace anywhere locally or even in the United States,” even with his years of experience and travel.
“I’m very pleased with what I’ve seen in terms of the professionalism and the quality of work,” he said. He added that the Marriott’s construction is already three months ahead, with one storey of the building being completed every week.
Gopaul, according to GINA, also refuted claims that there are no Guyanese workers on the site and said that there are specific times when Guyanese are employed to do specific jobs. He said that over 60,000 concrete blocks are produced and transported there by Guyanese and that over 10,000 tonnes of stones are being produced and supplied by Guyanese business entities every month. “Plus all of the sand supplied are from local truckers, and in addition to that, several business entities are supplying millions of dollars in materials to the site by no less that 10 to 15 contractors, all Guyanese,” he added.
He further said that when one takes into consideration the number of Guyanese producing items and supplying labour as is required on the site, they can see that it is not only Chinese that are involved in building the Marriott.
He said that the “tremendous challenges” affecting local labour should not be discounted.
“There are even training opportunities for engineering students as the on-site engineer has indicated that he is willing to accommodate University of Guyana students, as well as graduates interested in the new techniques being employed,” he added. “He’s willing to train some at intervals and let them go so that the skills will be transferred,” he further said.
Meanwhile, GINA noted that the Omai Gold Mines project, initiated under the PNC administration, had over 300 Canadians on site during the initial construction phase “and no fuss was made because it was understood that Guyanese would benefit from hundreds of jobs eventually.” It also cited Barama which imported technical staff during its initial phase.
Reacting to criticisms from the opposition that government negotiated poorly, Gopaul said it is easy to criticise after the fact, but Guyanese will end up being the victor.
“The benefits will be a five-star hotel providing high-end accommodation, attracting tourists. If only we could adopt some degree of patriotism as we look at issues and not oppose for opposing sake,” he argued.
“The fact that over 200 Guyanese will gain employment eventually when the Marriott is completed should not be overlooked,” Gopaul also said, while adding that even several private sector stakeholders whom he met recently have expressed support for the project as they understand the long- term benefits from it.
