00:00According to an official letter issued to staff, over the past two months, the president of ETEC has met with
00:08employees and staff and raised concerns regarding the hotel's operating position and the need for measures to improve its financial
00:17and operational sustainability.
00:19The hotel said it continues to experience reduced business activity, low occupancy levels, constraints in its available room inventory, and
00:30significant financial pressures.
00:32In light of these circumstances, management said it has undertaken a review of the hotel's immediate staffing requirements to ensure
00:42that its workforce is appropriately aligned with the present level of operations, while maintaining the staffing and skills necessary to
00:52continue essential hotel services.
00:55The letter to the affected staff stated, quote,
01:25of your employment and accrued annual vacation leave.
01:29You will proceed immediately on upon exhaustion of your leave to October 31st, 2026, in the first instance, end quote.
01:39The two-page letter further stated the temporary layoff is an interim cost containment measure intended to assist the hotel
01:50in its present financial and operational circumstances, while management continues managing efforts to stabilize operations and improve the hotel's long
02:01-term sustainability.
02:02This measure does not constitute a termination of your employment.
02:07The arrangement is to be kept under review, having regard to the hotel's occupancy levels, business activity, financial position, and
02:17operational requirements.
02:18The staff was advised that the period of temporary leave may be extended should circumstances require, or they may have
02:28to be recalled on duty prior to October 31st, 2026, should operational requirements warrant their return.
02:37The management said the temporary reduction in staffing expenditure is considered necessary as part of the immediate measures required to
02:47preserve operations and support the sustainability of the hotel.
02:53Efforts to contact the president of ETEC, Wesley Bridge-Mohansing, and the communications unit of ETEC proved futile.
03:02Calls, WhatsApp messages, and emails sent were not responded to.
03:08Elizabeth Williams, TV6 News.
