One of Barbados’ leading builders is fed up with the uneven playing field on which he says his company has to compete for state contracts.
Chairman of C.O. Williams Construction Limited (COW), Sir Charles Williams, was “very hopeful” that early in the new year COW would be part of Government’s major roads programme with the private sector, but he complained that in the overall contest for Government work, some of his competitors had an unfair advantage.
“When I bid on a contract for Government I have to produce a certificate [proving] that I paid all of my statutory obligations. How is it fair that when [there is] publication of who owes [the National Insurance Scheme] money, [there are] 9 000 companies, and amongst them is a bunch of companies that compete with me? How could they bid against me when they haven’t satisfied their statutory obligations?” he asked during an interview with BARBADOS BUSINESS AUTHORITY?
The construction magnate, who has worked on major roads in Barbados and the Caribbean, said this year was a difficult one for COW, and that while there were job losses, the company had used this method as a last resort. Stopping staff bonuses was one of the cost-saving methods used.
“July 2010 was 50 years that I bought my first piece of construction equipment, an old Caterpillar. You would know that in 2010 I had no celebration and there was a reason. The senior staff of this company have not had a bonus for four years – how could I celebrate and not give them a bonus? I didn’t think it was morally right,” he said.
“Not one single monthly paid worker has gotten a bonus for the last four years in order that we can keep people to work. We had to look at the possibility of laying off some people. The last thing I want to do is to have to send home more staff. We have cut it to a minimum but we have had to send home staff, primarily those who are past 65 and that sort of thing,” he said.
The businessman said COW now just had “two substantial jobs”, road and infrastructural improvements in the Warrens area, and the new racetrack at Bushy Park.
He explained that while there were some people who might suggest the work in Warrens and its environs had dragged on, there were factors determining the paceof work there.
“We are restricted on how much money we can spend every month. You might think if you are passing there, why haven’t they finished this, [but] we are restricted in how much we can work for. The Warrens job is not only a road job, when you see those tremendous trenches being sunk for a new cable and new water,” Sir Charles pointed out.
He was, however, “very hopeful, that in a short while we can embark on a road-building programme for Government”, adding that it was important for Barbados to attract projects to earn it more foreign exchange. (SC)
