Three local executive managers who were terminated from their employment at Pullman Nadi Bay Resort and Spa last month have reported the matter to the Ministry of Labour.

Mediation

As a result, a mediation session will begin in Nadi tomorrow over the issue.

The three executives have cited the terminations as unfair, discriminatory and unjustified whilst on the other hand they also believe that there may have been breaches to the Employment Relations Act.

Numerous attempts to get a comment from the resort’s general manager Brian Nathan proved unsuccessful.

One of the executives, Uraia Rasake, the former Director Talent and Culture at the resort, confirmed this yesterday saying they were ready for the mediation talks.

Former Pullman Nadi Bay Resort and Spa
Director Talent and Culture Uraia Rasake

The three received their termination letters on Friday, July 10.

Pullman is part of the internationally renowned hotel brand, Accor.

“It’s unfortunate that this matter has to be dealt with this way which reflects negatively on Accor’s “HEARTIST” philosophy and how they value their local workers,” Mr Rasake said.

“We are so blessed that we have laws in our country to safeguard the interests of our local workers thus the decision to take the matter via mediation and labour standards for possible breaches of the law.”

Mr Rasake said the laws were very clear.

He added the Fijian tourism sector was not new to temporary layoffs, Leave Without Pay (LWOP) and stand down periods which had always been the norm when there were natural disasters, political unrest or when business was not too good.

Meanwhile the resort has been listed for mortgagee sale.

The tender was published in the Fiji Sun past Saturday by the Fiji Development Bank for the resort and an adjacent property beside the resort at Wailoaloa in Nadi.

The resort was developed by the Gokal Group of Companies while the adjacent property was not developed.

The resort was first put up for sale, by the Gokal Group in June last year and was being sold through Colliers International of New Zealand and local agents My Island Home Fiji of Nadi.

Gokal Group of Companies chairman Vinod Gokal could not be reached for comment.

Feedback: charles.chambers@fijisun.com.fj