Severance protest: ex-hotel workers agitate for payment

Former employees of the Accra Beach Hotel and Spa and the Hilton Barbados Resort are once again protesting broken promises from their ex-employers regarding the payment of severance, Barbados TODAY has learned.

And the two groups are to join forces in protest outside the Hilton’s Needham’s Point property as early as Wednesday, a spokesperson said.

The Accra workers, who were laid off since last April near the start of the ongoing pandemic received up to 70 per cent of their outstanding monies after days of a ‘wildcat’ protest at the end of the year.

But they are contending that a promise from the Minister of Tourism Senator Lisa Cummins to facilitate payment of the remaining 30 per cent, as well as payment in lieu of notice by March 30 is yet to be fulfilled.

The workers also say officials from the National Insurance Scheme have advised many of them that they are owed at least an additional year of severance.

According to the group’s representative, while a few of them have been fortunate to find jobs, many of their former colleagues were not so lucky.

The source said: “Everyone would like the rest of their money, so that they can move on with their lives. Other than that, most people are finding it hard to get by, you know, just the basic stuff that you need to get along in life … that’s hard right now.

“Yes, a couple of people found jobs, but the majority of the staff are still home not doing anything and bills are coming in, they have children to feed, and the rent has to be paid.

“We have married couples who worked in Accra and both of them are home with rent to pay and little children. It cannot be easy on those persons.

“Right now, this is very stressful. You just want what is honestly yours so that you could move on.”

Barbados TODAY understands that many of the former Hilton workers have received their full severance while a number of others, for some unexplained reason, are still waiting

Reports also suggest that since December, some workers who were not initially advised of their right to severance have also come forward, but are yet to receive a cent.  (KS)