Caribbean News Now!

By Caribbean News Now contributor

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada -- The employment situation in Grenada is looking bleaker with an expected rise joblessness numbers among private sector workers.

Among the latest developments that will drive up unemployment, which is already estimated to be between 35 and 40 percent, is the pending closure of La Source Grenada, a resort located in Point Salines, St George’s.

Elite Island Resorts, which has been providing marketing services for La Source, has announced that the 100-room facility is scheduled to close October 15.

“We are saddened and disappointed that the owners of the resort were not able or willing to do more to keep La Source open,” said Steve Heydt, president of Elite Island Resorts.

La Source, heavily damaged by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, was reopened in February 2008.

Dr George Vincent, Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture, said, “While I sincerely regret any inconvenience caused by the closure of La Source, I have great confidence in our hotel sector being able to re-accommodate guests who will be affected by the closure of La Source, and provide them with renowned Grenadian hospitality at any of our fine lodgings.”

“As an internal business matter of the board of directors of Liberty Club Ltd/La Source, which is a private business entity, I expect they will provide additional information on this matter forthwith,” he added.

Meanwhile, while La Source workers must begin the search for new jobs, union officials are trying to save the jobs of some employees at LIME Grenada Ltd.

Sources close to the workers’ bargaining agents, the Technical and Allied Workers Union, say that changes being implemented at LIME could result in separation packages being offered to as many as 30 people now employed by the telecommunications provider.

The sources also report that seven workers were recently retrenched at the Grenada Breweries, while close to 40 others could be jobless with the expected closure of the local operations of Singer Ltd.

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