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Four Seasons axes managers
The shuttered entrance of the Four Seasons Resort, just off of the Spring Garden Highway. (FP)
Published on: 7/31/2009.
by MARIA BRADSHAW
ALL REMAINING managerial staff on the Four Seasons project have been fired.
However, construction of the multi-million-dollar hotel and resort in Black Rock, St Michael, is scheduled to resume by September with a new contractor.
Employees who received notice about the termination of their services via telephone last Tuesday are accusing Cinnamon 88, the original contractor, of reneging on its repeated promises to rehire them.
They are also questioning the legality of the termination letters which were signed by Robin Patterson, one of the directors of the company. They claim that Patterson did not hold a work permit.
His letter indicated that a new capital partner made it clear it wished to restructure the company and to appoint a main contractor for the Four Seasons & Private Residences project.
"Whilst for many of you this is disappointing as Cinnamon 88 would no longer be the contractor, this decision takes away the uncertainty that currently exists," the letter said.
"Consequently, we have to inform you that your services are no longer required and your employment is terminated effective today, 28 July, 2009."
Patterson gave the WEEKEND NATION the assurance the project would resume in September.
This newspaper was reliably informed that the investor was Myabach Corporation, out of Canada.
Patterson said firing the staff was a stipulation from the new investors, but pointed out that the contractor would be a local one and more Barbadians would be employed than what obtained before.
He also confirmed that his work permit had expired on June 7, but said he was awaiting an extension.
He stated that as one of the directors he had to sign the letters because Mike Pemberton, chief executive officer of Cinnamon 88, was out of the island.
Former project manager Christopher Millington, along with other former employees, who did not want to be identified, questioned the legality of the letters and complained that no mention was made of their severance packages.
"We went to the National Insurance and the Labour Office trying to find out if this dismissal letter had any validation because it was signed by a man who has no work permit. And nobody can guide us on how to get our money. All they are telling us is that we would have to get an attorney," Millington stated.
Another man stated that the more than 30 employees were upset.
"It is outrageous after Mr Pemberton was publicly saying that we were only laid off temporarily and we will all be rehired," he said.
The workers were also given until today to return the company's vehicles, cellular phones and laptop computers.
12 comment found!
: 8/7/2009
If everyone so upset about a non-national firing them, then they shouldn't sign up when a non-national was hiring! Go work for a local employer instead! I would love a free vehicle, cell phone and computer while not actually having to work for months, that is charity - these foreigners way too soft boy!
Four Seasons : 8/6/2009
To the Aug 1st. commentor, do you realise that the white investors who reside in Barbados spends loads of money here? Have you ever seen the cost for their work permits? They normally send their children to private school. Any Guyanese spending money here like that? Do they squat? Is tax payers' money spent representing them in court for domestic abuse? Who will be the monkey on Barbados' back? Think about it.
Answers : 8/6/2009
Just Asking.......I'm 100% in agreement with you. The Labour Department needs to be more vigilant in these types of major projects involving external companies/investors.Constant monitoring may be a better option than trying to react long after the fact.
FIRED : 8/5/2009
CAN THE AUTHORITIES PLEASE CLEAR THE BUSH ON THE HIGHWAY. IT LOOKS DISGUSTING.
: 8/4/2009
The point is that the free rides, cellphones and laptops that these managers enjoyed for months is over. The company was wrong for stringing them along and should have made them redundant before. On top of that, the ones with work permits and no clear employment terms or new start dates for work, should have been dealt with.
Bajan Employers, treating their own a local employees a lot worse : 8/4/2009
from my experience, the problem with govt agencies proctecting employees is not just with foreign employees, it is an issue with local emloyers treatign their staff disgusting like trash as well and disregarding employment laws.. hence the issue is one of barbados labour & employment office monitoring, enforcing and protecting employess,..that said a business has a right to make critical staffign decisons, albiet at thier own reputation of how they conduct themselves..then they shoudl be giving a warning by govt dept.
2 out of 10 for jounalism research : 8/2/2009
This is poor journalism. Read NY times ans see what real journalism is.. u have to resarch parties and give some backgrounwo d info. You dont just scrath questions and print a story.. And to civil servant below, barbados is not a communist, hitler style racist country.. we are a global open economy in the Americas new world and as a metropole we invite global investors and we tax them too. If you choose to go to UK or USA to invest you are free to do so.
Immigration Department : 8/2/2009
Please tell me if mr. Patterson is legally allowed to work without a work permit? Was the permission for an extension filed in good time? Can he work while the approval/denial of the extension is pending? Can he be granted an extension when the project for which he previously worked was closed? Was a new work permit applied for by the new company? Now that all work has ceased will he be deported and have to wait outside before any new work permit is granted? Just asking.......
Four Seasons : 8/1/2009
While the Thompson administration is caught up with deporting Guyanese, White investors are making Barbadians fools. While these managers have to buy school books and uniforms for their children Mr. Pemberton is alleged to be in France on vacation. Although, they are making demands to have to company's vehicles etc returned please people do not be fools, do not return anything until your monies have been paid.
: 7/31/2009
I wonder what the Immigration Department is doing about this. According to Mr. Paterson, the new capital partner has stipulated that these Barbadian workers be dismissed. It would appear that the CEO, Michael Pemberton, and the current Executive Director has no power or has relinquish all power. In that case, there is no need for Mr. Paterson to have a work permit.
Managers axed : 7/31/2009
......and mr Patterson is not a Guyanese.
: 7/31/2009
A non national Company Director without a work permitbut able to dismiss workers on the instructions of new investors. I take it that the new investors have already employed the non national company Director. Are these new investors local? Guess not either. So what's new? Sounds like the sane part of this comedy island called Barbados to me? It is hot and it's Kadooment. Let's hope that cooler heads and common sense return next week. Keep it safe this weekend people. Retired Civil Servant.
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