Some Jacks of Fiji staff who are part of the 500 workers who will finish off from May 19th, have already been asked to go home and they are now paid for 10 hours known as COVID-19 hours at a reduced rate.
Fijivillage was provided payslips where it shows an employee was previously paid $3.64 an hour however she is now being paid $3.12 an hour.
She adds that she has been working for Jacks for the past three years.
Jacks Group of Companies CEO, Bhavin Khatri says he will not comment however they will issue a press release in due course which will answer the queries.
Khatri had earlier said that a significant number of employees are being impacted as their business is predominantly tourism related.
He said they have issued the notice of termination to their employees and the actual termination will take effect on the 19th of May.
In a letter to the employees obtained by Fijivillage, the company had outlined the redundancy package the outgoing staff would be receiving.
They will be given one week’s pay per completed year of service provided they have completed a year of service while one week’s pay will be given for the staff who have not completed the one year of service.
The ex gratia payment will continue to be paid for the next 4 weeks.
They will also be paid their balance accrued Annual Leave entitlement up to 19th May.
Employment Minister, Parveen Bala had earlier warned all employers that they should not take advantage of the COVID-19 situation and workers should talk to the Ministry staff if they have any concerns.
Bala had also said that they are aware of and are sympathetic to the downturn in business but it is important that employment laws and regulations in place are followed and workers are not denied their rights.
