FOUR SEASONS, Nevis – THE unemployment rate on Nevis skyrocketed today (Mar. 2) as management of the Four Seasons Resort announced the layoff of over 500 of the hotel’s employees.
Preliminary investigations by SKNVibes confirmed that over 500 employees were given severance letters this morning at a meeting held by the seaside opposite the Cabanas on the Resort’s property.
Many employees were seen leaving the Resort with letters in their hands. While some were overheard saying they would not read their letters until they got home, others immediately sought private places to see the contents of theirs.
Sylvester Pemberton, who worked with the hotel for more than 10 years, said the employees expected all along that this day would eventually arrive after the Resort was devastated by hurricane Omar in October last year.
Pemberton declared that the situation is depressing but he would join his fellow unemployed workers to seek employment until the Resort re-opens. He said he was grateful to the Four Seasons Resort management for ensuring a smooth and peaceful lay-off process.
Early investigations confirmed that the employees were paid two weeks salary. They will also receive $US1 000 each and, after 12 weeks, there is a normal procedure in the Federation that allows laid off employees to claim severance pay. The employees were notified of this procedure.
Efforts to speak with the Resort’s management were futile.
