By Idris Bakare
Marriott International and Capital Hotel PLC have commenced payment of severance package and Christmas bonus to workers of Sheraton Hotel & Towers to end workers’ protest associated with the plan to shut down the hotel for complete rehabilitation.
While Marriott is paying severance package, Capital Hotel PLC volunteered to pay Christmas bonus to all workers.
22 Hospitality Ltd, a subsidiary of NIPCO PLC had announced plans to shut down the hotel after the acquisition of 51 per cent equity.
The payment followed an agreement reached by the employees under the umbrella of National Union of Hotel & Personal Service Workers (NUHPSW) and Marriot International (managers of the hotel) after an emergency meeting in Abuja.
According to the General Secretary, NUHPSW, Comrade Leke Success explained that Marriot international has concluded plans to make Severance pay to all staff either casual or permanent staff.
He said Severance pay commenced with workers that have completed due clearance.
“Severance to be made to all staff either casual or permanent staff while payment continues tommorrow for all cleared employees casual or not.
“Capital Hotel Plc, owners of the hotel magnanimity to add Christmas bonus even though it was not part of presentations done by Marriott on staff take away. All staff, not minding casual or not the benefit.
“This bonus does not need any clearance as all will get from today,” he said
Recall that the workers had staged a protest over the non-payment of their severance packages, carrying placards with various inscriptions such as: ‘Marriott Pay Us What Is Due To Us; Marriott Stop Manipulating The Workers; Enough Of Exposure To Safety Hazards; Marriott Treat Us Like Human Being; We Are Not Animals’ among others.
The workers numbering over 291 of different cadre are expected to make clearance and be paid accordingly.
The Capital Hotel Plc bought majority shares in Sheraton from the Federal Government over 30 years ago and engaged the services of Marriot International in the management of Sheraton.
NIPCO subsidiary, 22 Hospitality Ltd which acquired 51 per cent majority shares in Sheraton, had planned to shut down the hotel in order to carry out a holistic renovation and reposition the hotel.
The deal is a conscious move to drive the company’s mission to diversify into the hospitality industry.
NIPCO Plc is a key downstream operator in the nation’s hydrocarbon industry with its footprints across the country.
The Group Executive Director of NIPCO Plc, Alhaji Aminu Abdulkadir had promised to restore the hotel to its former glory and to reposition it as the first-choice luxury hotel in Abuja.
The strategic drive is also aimed at making the hotel carve a niche for itself by becoming a leading hospitality firm offering premium services to customers in accordance with global standards.