Workers pay price as big end plays the blame game

MIND games and communication delays surrounding the upheaval at the Jewel project got even sillier yesterday as promises to tell workers what was going on fell flat.

And despite orders from on high banning workers from talking to the media, one subcontractor revealed he had been forced to put staff off to try to contain costs because he was $600,000 out of pocket for materials.

Yesterday the Bulletin reported that Jewel developer Yuhu Group claimed it gave builder Multiplex a green light to publicly explain holdups a week ago.

Multiplex has not commented publicly, but yesterday said that even with Yuhu’s permission, any statement would also have to be approved by Yuhu prior to distribution.

The statement was with Yuhu as of yesterday, with no indication of when it might be approved.

Despite being warned against speaking publicly, one subcontractor told the Bulletin under condition of anonymity of the financial pressure he was under.

He said he was about $600,000 out of pocket for materials alone and predicted his annual revenue would be down by 20 per cent.

“In terms of money coming in, we had budgeted around an extra $4.5 million in revenue, which is why I’ve got to cut costs now and lay off staff,” he said.

“It was a safe prediction because it was work we were contracted to do.

“I didn’t even realise you could cancel a contract that easily.”