Themanager of Sun Beach Hotel in Bakau, has reacted to allegation levied against him by some staff of the hotel, describing it as grossly misleading. Modibo Taal’sreaction was prompted bythe Daily Observer’s yesterday edition captioned: Crisis at Sun Beach Hotel.

In the report, the junior staff numbering 104 alleged that the management of the hotel management hasasked them to go for five months’ vacation without salary.Tall described the allegationas untrue, false and misleading.

“I work twice with the hotel but the shareholders are not contributing and I alone cannot operate the hotel,” he said, adding that he even wrote to the shareholders about the situation of the hotel but there was no response. He said the only alternative is to close during off-season, something he added is not peculiar to Sun Beach Hotel alone.

He further explains: “What I said was since the hotel is not having customers, the staff should go for a voluntary leave. Some accepted and others did not. I personally reported the matter to the Labour Department to look into the matter to make sure that the staff rights are secured and protected.

The Labour Department promised to visit the hotel and have a dialogue with the staff and pave the way forward.“I spend my money and time just to keep them at least for the season but what they are saying is totally wrong.”

When contacted, Nyallow Barrow, acting commissioner ofLaboursaid they have sent a fact-finding team to the hotel. He added that what they gathered was that the hotel is closing for off-season and they are still monitoring the development.