The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A Grand Bahama industrial union head says PharmaChem Technologies’ shutdown tomorrow “staggers” an already weak economy and will have a major negative impact on the island.

Cory Cartwright, the Grand Bahama Port Authority Workers Union’s president, told Tribune Business that while he understands the pharmaceutical manufacturing plant may reopen again at a later date its closure will hurt the island’s economy especially since many of the 120 jobs being lost are “high paying, middle class” posts.

PharmaChem staff were not unionised, and Mr Cartwright said: “There’s nobody to actually deal with their concerns, and there is nobody that they can really run to to defend them or even answer questions because there is some speculation saying that they are just closing down to eventually come back with contractual workers instead of permanent workers.

“Our union is not going to help them because our union is more private than anything, and more private to the company. We are not able to step out and help them without going through the other unions on the island to see if they want to assist. They were supposed to close from last summer, so they did well to keep the doors open until Christmas, to be honest with you,” Mr Cartwright added.

“Freeport needs to get back on course and sometimes the ship needs to sink in order to do it. Nobody understands there are issues until they see the issues. As long as it’s only one person being affected then they say don’t worry about it. But when you have a mass or group of people being affected then there is attention brought to it.”

PharmaChem Technologies, in its statement on Monday, pledged that all staff will be paid due severance and benefits in accordance with Bahamian employment law. It added: “Our company has always been proud to contribute to the industrial landscape of Grand Bahama and The Bahamas, and we are grateful for the relationships that we have built over the years.

“PharmaChem will continue to uphold its commitment to integrity and transparency through the winding down process. We thank everyone who has been a part of our journey and look forward to the possibility of crossing paths in the future.”