Up in the air over jobs
THE visiting head of the $1.4 billion Jewel development – where workers are protesting about layoffs – ignored the upheaval yesterday, preferring to “focus” on Jewel’s kite festival.
Yuhu Group Australia director Jimmy Huang, 24, was at the triple towers, hosting a VIP reception in the Surfers Paradise beachfront Experience Centre.
Outside on the beach about 30 labourers and tradies without jobs after a week of upheaval at the work site picketed Jewel’s family-friendly International Kite Festival.
Placards drew attention to surprise layoffs saying “What a disgrace Yuhu, show your face”.
When the Bulletin asked Mr Huang if he wanted to say anything about the on-site upheaval and confusion the past week when workers and contractors walked off the job, he said: “I just want to focus on the kite festival that is on today.”
When a public relations minder stepped in to ask about the Bulletin taking notes, Mr Huang indicated he had no pro-blem with the question and said: “You’re just doing your job.”
Mr Huang indicated further questions on the site turmoil be directed to Yuhu Group’s PR. having canapes when they should be out here explaining why these guys have been sacked and why 300 more are going to be sacked next week,” he said. “These guys have mortgages. Our (subbies’) bosses are owned millions.”
Cr Tom Tate told the VIP reception if Yuhu Group – which bought the project from Wanda and Ridong earlier this year – had not taken over the workers would have been out of jobs months ago.
“Without Yuhu coming in and transitioning the ownership, the protesters today would have been out of jobs for the past six months,” he said.
“When you acquire a major For more information and to book tickets, go to couriermail.com.au/ tickets. property, it doesn’t matter if it’s your house or whatever, you want to spend a few dollars to put your heart and soul into the look. That is the reason for taking a pause.
“Yuhu want to deliver a project that is not just the best in Australia but world class because they know it’s an iconic location, iconic building. The job is postponed. The scope of work will still be there.”
In a statement, Yuhu Group has said final designs of lower podium levels of the hotel were yet to be finalised, explaining hold ups to work. The project is still scheduled to be completed on time in mid-2019, it said.