Tobago Correspondent
Frustration is growing among more than 50 workers at Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort who have been temporarily laid off.
For the third time in as many months, management at the Lowlands hotel has informed employees that their salaries will be late.
On September 22, hotel staff were furloughed in a cost-cutting exercise. Management indicated that the arrangement could last up to 90 days.
Letters to staff said the hotel was unable to pay salaries because of low occupancy levels, reduced business activity and financial constraints.
On September 23, the hotel’s human resource officer, Kern St Hillaire, informed staff by email that their salaries, due on September 25, would be delayed. St Hillaire added that the payments would likely be processed this week. However, in a WhatsApp message to staff on September 29, management revised the payment timeline.
“Please be advised that we are aware that employees are expecting salary payment on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. However, at this time, we wish to inform you that salary payment may not be processed on the expected date,” the hotel said.
While acknowledging the importance of timely salary payments and the inconvenience caused, management could not tell workers when they would receive their pay.
“Management is actively working through the necessary processes to facilitate salary payment as soon as possible. During the course of tomorrow, Wednesday, September 30, 2026, we expect to be in a better position to provide employees with a possible timeline for the processing and payment of salaries.”
Management thanked workers for their patience, understanding and co-operation.
However, one affected worker told Guardian Media she had run out of patience with the hotel.
“They treading on dangerous ground. You can’t send home people without paying them. That is high-class rubbish,” she said.
The worker, who has several years of service, added: “The same time you take to type up and distribute letters, see about people salary. We need our salaries.”
She said management had required workers to take their annual vacation before the furlough took effect, which was due to last until at least October 31.
Recalling how employees were “escorted off the compound like common criminals”, she said the uncertainty and “disrespect” were causing emotions to boil over.
“Is either you employing us or you not employing us. What I supposed to tell my landlord? What I supposed to tell my children?”
Another affected employee, who has worked at the hotel for a decade, was on the verge of tears while speaking to Guardian Media.
“This is horrible. We have bills to pay, families to take care about, children to send to school. This is crazy,” she said.
She alleged that service charge had not been paid to employees last month and speculated about the hotel’s future with fewer staff available to carry out daily operations.
Efforts to contact the hotel for comment were unsuccessful.
