Also plans to pay ex-workers who have been fighting for almost two years to get severance and other entitlements‘

The Antigua and Barbuda Observer has revealed that the government there plans to buy the Jolly Beach Resort.

The Government has said that it is taking steps to buy and reopen the hotel, which has been closed since the start of the pandemic, using US$200 million raised through the European stock market.

Former Jolly Beach Resort workers who have been fighting for almost two years to get severance and other entitlements could soon see some reprieve with the government taking over the hotel.

Talks with a handful of investors interested in buying the resort are said to have been under way for quite some time, but it appears the government is not convinced they have the resources needed to meet the cost of the property which is currently in receivership.

The news of the government’s planned take over and reopening of the resort came two days before former workers are poised to take to the streets to once again demand millions in outstanding pay.

They planned to protest outside Parliament ahead of Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s budget presentation today.

Workers planned protest action

The protest was revealed in a press release by the Antigua and Barbuda Worker’s Union (ABWU) which represents the workers. The decision was taken on Monday during a meeting held with the ex-employees to discuss outstanding severance following the hotel’s closure in March 2020.

Lennox Weston, minister of state in the Ministry of Finance, confirmed to the Antigua and Barbuda Observer that talks have been held with five potential investors and, while they pledged to have the requisite funds, the money has not yet been forthcoming. The minister added that the government did not intend to keep the hotel out of commission while it awaits negotiations with potential investors.

Hundreds of former resort staff, at least two of which have since died, are owed more than EC$7 million in outstanding pay and severance. Government and statutory bodies alone are owed around EC$80 million.

Meanwhile, some have expressed skepticism at the government’s plans for a remedy.