By LEDEDRA MARCHE

Senior FN Reporter

Government's final redundancy pay-out exercise to former Royal Oasis employees on Thursday left mixed emotions, as several of them walked away disheartened.

Hundreds of former employees, some still unemployed, made their way to the Hilton Outten Convention Centre to receive their much anticipated cheque – many of them as early as 6:30 that morning.

It was the last of the pay outs government was presenting to the former Crowne Plaza Golf Resort and Casino at the Royal Oasis employees who were displaced in Sep-tember 2004.

The then owners, Driftwood Freeport Ltd., shut the resort down following Hurricane Frances, citing heavy losses in damages.

Government stepped in 2005 and made initial severance payments to 900 of the workers which amounted to $5 million – 650 of them, whose total pay-out package amounted to under $11,000 or less, were paid in full and those entitled to more than $11,000 received 50 percent.

The second exercise yesterday totalling some $4 million, was to be the last, but after the scores of former Oasis workers learned their names were not on the "master" list, some soon found out they might be called back to the local Treasury Department after a closer investigation.

A group of 40 or 50 individuals, who crowded at the front trying to read the list of names posted on the glass door yesterday, had to be restrained at times by the police whose presence was to keep law and order.

Officials from the Treasury and Labour Department were on hand to execute the cheques and ensure a smooth transition.

It was not long, after officials learned of those seeking some explanation about their missing name, that those individuals were allowed into the hall through a side door in small groups and recorded their names and information.

Others who were excited earlier, on seeing the amount on the cheque, quickly dropped their smiles and made their way through the side door, thwarting off reporters waiting to get their response.

But not all were unhappy.

"I'm just grateful because it was a long time and it is good that we get it," said Kevin Key, who was with the resort for eight years. "I give God thanks for it and I hope everyone feel the same way."

While he, too, had expected more, Key said it will go a long way in helping to pay bills and purchase Christmas gifts.

Hilton Rigby Sr., worked for seven years and was quite pleased with his pay-out. He noted that with the exception of a couple of cents, his calculations on what he would receive was right on the money.

"I definitely thank God and also give credit to our Prime Minister, Mr. Hubert Ingraham because he say he was going to do something and he came through."

Director of Labour Harcourt Brown explained that those reporting to the site fell into one of three categories – those who had not yet received anything at all; those who received payment below minimum wage and were being paid the difference of their salary then; and those who were receiving the other half of their payment.

"Those would have been persons who would have been senior supervisory, managerial positions whose amount were above $10,000," he noted.

As for those whose names were not listed, Brown said his department would do all it can to resolve the matter.

"I would imagine that there may be some disgruntled persons whose names may not be on the list for whatever reason and we will try as quickly as we can to determine whether there was an error on anyone's part as to why they were left off or whether it may be a misconception that they have."

It was the third time that Yvette Bain, who worked with the hotel for five years, reported to the government pay-out venue and was told her name was not on the list.

But, she says, she is being discriminated against and has decided to put the matter in God's hands.

Dorothy Pratt was one of the payees in the first exercise three years as a maid in the hotel and porter in the casino

"I thought we were getting something they say everybody from Royal Oasis should come. They should explain that only certain people should come because a lot of people out here working, get a little piece of job and they sneaking off their job thinking they getting a couple of dollars and that don't make no sense."

Brenda Smith who was employed with the Resort since 1983, said the people need to appreciate what the government is doing for them.

"Who didn't get paid before have the chance to get paid now. We got paid before, so we should be grateful for the other set of people. Some people is too ungrateful."

"They're looking for a million dollars; thank God they (have) life."

"Papa," was employed for 23-and-a-half years as a bellman and had conceded that some will be dissatisfied, but he is grateful that government has decided to step in.

"Whatever they give us, thank God. At least you can go and buy your child and grandchild something nice for Christmas and buy your turkey or your ham," he said.

"Some people are going to be mad, but when you look at life, you can't just live for yourself. If I get $300 and my next door neighbour didn't get a dime, what's wrong with me giving them $100 out of my $300."

ANXIOUSLY AWAITING — Hundreds of former Royal Oasis workers lined up outside the Hilton Outten Convention Centre early Thursday morning anxiously awaiting their cheque from government owed to them in redundancy pay.

(Photo by DEREK CARROLL)