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On a sweltering morning at Ferry Pen, St Andrew, on Friday, motorists were left stranded outside WH Car Services, finding its gates to the auto repair shop padlocked and calls going unanswered.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security had ordered the facility closed and launched a probe into whether the 10 Chinese mechanics had valid work permits and if the operations are in full compliance with Jamaican labour laws.

The investigation follows concerns that foreign workers may be displacing locals without following the proper procedures.

Since opening two months ago, the Chinese-owned garage has been flooded by motorists eager to have repairs done to their vehicles. The closure of the shop took many of them by surprise. Stacy, who arrived just after 11 a.m. to collect her Honda Civic motor car which she left for repair was left searching for answers.

"When mi come, mi see the place kinda empty and mi a wonder how, because usually the place full. At one point mi a wonder if a lock them lock fi the day, but mi seh no man, them only close on weekends," Stacy told THE STAR.

"Is hear mi hear the other people them a talk say it look like them lock down. Mi heart sink because the number weh them have nuh work," she added.

Stacy had first heard about WH Car Services through TikTok, and had visited on Monday to book a Wednesday appointment. Because of her work schedule, she dropped off her car early and arranged to pick it up the next day.

Instead, her day unravelled: she missed three hours' wages at her salon shift and had to spend extra on taxi fare under the punishing midday sun.

"All mi want is fi know when dem expect fi open back," she said. "Mi cyaan keep buss sweat every time di AC fail."

A few hours earlier, James Thompson from Linstead, St Catherine, arrived at 5:30 a.m., hoping to service his Toyota Hiace van used for his egg delivery business across the island. He was not pleased to find the gate locked.

"Every time we find a solution, di government step in an' find way fi ban it," he lamented.

For James, the shutdown is a devastating blow. Without his van, he risks losing customers and valuable income.

"Mi deliver eggs from St Catherine to Kingston. If di van dead, mi nuh know wah mi a guh do. Di mechanic weh mi usually use charge one arm and leg, and it tek weeks before mi get back mi vehicle."

James sees the closure as part of a broader trend of bureaucracy stifling initiatives that benefit ordinary Jamaicans.

"It affi be one a we own weh rat them out. A so we corrupt eno, all them do a fight against anything weh benefit poor people," he said.

Even as he voiced frustration, James acknowledged the need for regulations.

"Mi understand seh law is law and that's what govern a country," he said.

Still, he remains hopeful that WH Car Services will soon be allowed to reopen -- and even expand.

"Dem say it was a test run, so mi expect them up and running soon. By summer, mi nah go surprise if them have more shop cross the island."

For now, he can't wait for the Ferry Pen-based facility to be reopened.

"Give them dem permit. They are doing what our own not doing. Mi rather wait till them reopen than go back a nuh other mechanic shop," he said, praising the technical expertise he had experienced.