Several former Baha Mar employees who collected termination letters from Baha Mar yesterday expressed disappointment about the 2,000 redundancies announced Thursday, and said while resort representatives suggested the terminations were temporary, they will look for other jobs. Others said they will remain positive and appreciated the training at Baha Mar.
In a letter to employees, joint provisional liquidators said following a review of the financial affairs of the companies it was clear the companies could not meet all operating costs, including meeting existing employment levels. The provisional liquidators, therefore, gained approval from the Supreme Court to implement a redundancy plan due to the "perilous financial position of the companies". The redundancies took effect yesterday.
Kendeno Rolle, 19, who was hired as a busboy at the Grand Hyatt, said he is not waiting for the resort to open and plans to go in search of employment elsewhere.
"I'm trying to go and get another job," he said."They told us that we had to sign a paper and carry it to NIB.
"They told us to sign it, but [will see] if they can hire us back. But for right now for the 25-30th they say they will let us know what is what."
Another employee, who was hired as a bellman, said the news came as no surprise. He said while Baha Mar representatives suggested the termination was temporary, he said "we know what's really going on".
"Our Baha Mar journey basically came to an end."
Anthony Williams, who was employed as a space cleaner, said he hopes the government and the National Insurance Board will assist the former employees.
"From Mr. Christie got involved, we done know," he said.
Williams said he has not found another job, but hopes "Mr. Christie can step up now and know that there are 2,500 eligible voters that are now out of a job and election is very close".
One former employee said, "I have to keep going. I am young. I am only 18. I have my whole life ahead of me. I thank them for the skills, for the development and the experience. I just have to move forward."
Another former employee, who identified herself as Marie, who was hired as a concierge at the Grand Hyatt, said she worked a full shift on Thursday. She said it was not until she went home that afternoon did she receive a termination letter via email.
In July, just days after Baha Mar filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Delaware, more than 200 workers marched for the "Baha Mar dream" and in support of Baha Mar CEO Sarkis Izmirlian. At the time, Baha Mar warned that it may soon have to take "drastic and regrettable steps", including staff reductions.
On September 15, a U.S. judge dismissed the Chapter 11 cases relating to the company's Bahamian entities. On September 4, Supreme Court Justice Ian Winder approved the appointment of provisional liquidators to oversee Baha Mar's affairs. On Thursday, Izmirlian expressed disappointment that Baha Mar will not be able to provide "thousands" of Bahamians career opportunities. Prime Minister Perry Christie also expressed disappointment on Thursday. However, he said yesterday that he still expects the resort to open "in the not too distant future".
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