JEWEL WORKERS WALK
... as developer says it’s all a ‘misunderstanding’
OWNERS of the Jewel towers site in Surfers Paradise insist recent turmoil for workers is a big “misunderstanding”.
But that didn’t stop scores of workers walking off the job yesterday morning leaving the shining triple towers looking deserted.
A Yuhu Group spokesman said work was continuing internally, and boasted that “money is no object”.
ON day two of turmoil for workers and contractors with uncertain futures at the Jewel towers site, project owner Yuhu Group is dubbing it one big “misunderstanding”.
But that isn’t washing with swaths of workers at the $1 billion-plus beachfront development in Surfers Paradise who walked off the job yesterday morning leaving the shining triple towers looking deserted.
A Yuhu Group spokesman said work continued internally.
At least one contractor has quit with his crew, saying communication is so bad he’s uncertain what to proceed with. Another – Ingrams Shopfitting and Fine Joinery – has been forced to let go 50 workers.
Contractors said subbies had been told to finish what they were doing and leave – and not to start any new jobs.
Yuhu Group said designs of lower podium levels of the hotel were not finalised and would be done later in the “construction schedule”.
New tenders for the work would be offered but project builder Multiplex was still the “major project partner”.
In a new statement yesterday, Yuhu Group said it was committed to finishing by mid-2019 and an operator for the 169-room hotel would be chosen within weeks.
“All payments to Multiplex due and payable in accordance with the contract are made.
“We’ll also play a constructive role in supporting and encouraging Multiplex to resolve potential misunderstandings with subcontractors, other workers or anyone with concerns.”
Yuhu Group was “surprised” at reports of job losses but a contractor fumed: “That’s a damn line. There is no certainty – no tradie will be able to hold their staff indefinitely waiting for a redesign.”
Subbies United president John Goddard said subbies typically lost millions in unpaid materials, labour and future work in such situations.
“It’s not clear what’s happening yet but if it goes the way it seems to be, I’d say Jewel will be the worst the Gold Coast has seen.”
One worker expected 80 per cent of staff from his company to be let go. An insider said at least 300 more from the site would be gone by Wednesday.
A tradesman on the site with family members said all believed they’d lose their jobs. “This runs deep,” one said. Yuhu Group said: “All necessary work will be carried out to finish what will be a magnificent asset. Local trades will continue to be beneficiaries.”