The Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) now has two failed housing projects under its belt.
In 2005, the union severed ties with a contractor who had built three model houses at the entrance of Mangrove Park, St Philip, stating that the contractor’s price of $400 000 was not acceptable and was out of the reach of its members.
Four years later, it entered into another arrangement with another contractor – Beautiful Environmental Homes – which is owned by Austin Bayley, to build 26 low-income stone houses, also at Mangrove.
But ten months ago, with only two houses completed, including the model home, the union terminated that contract as well, following several complaints from prospective home buyers.
However, the situation has left at least six people, who had given Beautiful Homes funds to construct their houses, in a bind because the union has told them they would have to go after the contractor themselves, in order to end their individual contracts.
