Sandals Resort in Dover Barbados has remodeled 200 employees redundant however the Barbados Resort and Tourism Affiliation (BHTA) on Monday moved to alleviate fears about job safety in tourism, describing the layoffs as a part of seasonal sample.
BHTA chairman Javon Griffith mentioned the redundancies mirror the annual downturn in enterprise.
“That’s fairly normal throughout the business right now of 12 months,” Griffith defined. “After all, for a property like that, it will seem to be quite a bit, as a result of they’ve two accommodations facet by facet.”
The information of the layoffs was first revealed on Friday by Toni Moore, normal secretary of the Barbados Staff’ Union (BWU), to reporters outdoors Parliament. Whereas Moore didn’t title the property, she emphasised the necessity for job safety to align with the provisions of the collective settlement between the BWU and the BHTA.
The BWU head additionally accused the resort of undermining the function of its union, claiming that the corporate immediately consulted employees in regards to the termination of their contracts with out union involvement. However Griffith countered that the resort’s normal supervisor, Surinder Kahlon, had indicated the layoffs had been unrelated to the BWU.
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The BHTA chairman famous that many accommodations usually reduce operations after Crop Over, typically closing for renovations throughout September when there’s a important lower in enterprise. He added that employees are normally laid off if the closure interval exceeds their vacation entitlement.
Griffith was unable to verify whether or not Sandals would rehire the redundant employees as soon as the business picks up for the winter season.
“There’s a slowdown of enterprise and there are some inside rationalizations happening, however I can’t converse as to if or when individuals can be rehired,” he mentioned.
Moore expressed concern that the resort would possibly maintain a job truthful within the coming months to switch the redundant employees with new hires, a follow she argues contradicts long-established agreements within the sector.
Sandals Barbados Resort and Spa and Sandals Royals Barbados, didn’t reply to requests for remark.
