Displaced workers go after available positions

Overwhelming!

That’s how restaurants that offered a lifeline to the 149 displaced workers of Chaps Restaurants Limited who were abruptly retrenched by their employer on Monday have described the response to their offers.

As the shocked workers of Cin Cin by the Sea, Hugo’s Barbados and Primo Bar and Bistro left emptyhanded by their employer attempted to come to terms with their fate, several eateries and other businesses across the tourism sector took to social media detailing a range of vacancies.

Owner of Naru Restaurant and the newly opened Miso Restaurant by Naru at the Villages at Coverley Lisa Taylor told Barbados TODAY that after posting the offer on social media on Tuesday night, they received more than 80 applicants within a couple of hours.

“What a wonderful response, very humbling. We know that everyone that applied didn’t come from those establishments, and we haven’t had the time as yet to go through all the applications, because they are so many, But we are happy to help.”

Taylor, whose operations are seeking to hire porters, bar and wait staff and kitchen workers, says they were so touched by the plight of the dismissed employees that they had to reach out.

“It is a really sad situation and we have been in business long enough to know that things are hard for everybody no matter what position you hold and honestly we couldn’t imagine how those people felt that morning realizing I have no job.

“So we thought this was the perfect opportunity to expand and extend that olive branch to try to help however we can. We know that it is a lot of people, but if we can help as many as we can, then we know others will reach out and help some of these workers who have been misplaced find new jobs.”

Taylor, who is also the president of Dine South Barbados, a grouping of restaurants on the South Coast, said members have been discussing how they can help.

“We are hoping that these workers don’t give up hope, there is hope. Our members are also planning to reach out in whatever way they can,” she assured.

Over at 6 Mix Bar and Kitchen, Worthing Main Road, Christ Church, Director Sanjee Kumar told Barbados TODAY they have not only been receiving a significant number of online applications but people have been seeking opportunities in person.

“We are overwhelmed by the CVs [Curriculum Vitae] that are coming to our email. They have also been people stopping by at the location, speaking to the manager and the supervisor,” he revealed.

Openings there include some for wait staff, bartenders and cooks.

“It is a way for us to try to find good staff and also we are trying to find a way to help out all those who are in need of a job as well, “ he said.

Meanwhile, the Barbados Hotel and Tourism has also been actively working with its membership, which includes 120 restaurants and hotels to find jobs for the affected workers.

Chief Executive Officer Senator Rudy Grant said in a statement issued this evening that the response so far has been positive.

“We have been in discussion with CHAPS CEO, Joanne Pooler to coordinate job opportunities at all staff levels. Email information has been communicated to our members and the response so far has been extremely encouraging,” he said.
sandydeane@barbadostoday.bb