More than 30 employees of a popular tourist restaurant have been thrown out of work due to its unexpected closure.
Conch Fritters Bar and Grill closed its doors to the public more than two weeks ago. Since then workers say they have not heard from management and are not sure whether they will be compensated.
Now, they are calling on the government to intervene with the owners in a bid to ensure they get what is due to them.
“We have bills to pay and families to take care off. All we want is what is owed to us,” said one female employee, who spoke to the Guardian on the condition of anonymity.
“We don’t even want to work for him or that place again. We just want our money because our bills are piling up.”
The employees said they are owed up to six-and-a-half weeks’ pay.
Guardian sources said Conch Fritters Bar and Grill ceased its operation on Feb. 20.
“We were doing our job when the lights went off. And to make matter worse nothing was said or explained to us. We haven’t heard or seen anyone from management since this happened,” another worker piped in.
Several attempts were made to contact the restaurant’s owner, Theo Pickramenos, but that proved futile. It is understood that he is off the island.
The Guardian was directed to speak with executives of the Maillis and Maillis law firm in a bid to ascertain the facts surrounding the restaurant’s closure. However, when contacted attorney Alexander Maillis informed that they do not represent the company.
“I am not saying that we are not going to be instructed which might have been the intent of the person who advised you, but as of this point, I don’t have instructions on that. And I am not as of right now their attorney of record.”
The Guardian visited the establishment and observed that chairs were stacked on the table. The door was locked and telephone calls went unanswered. There were no evidence of repair works going and no signs were posted to state when and if the establishment would re-open.
Other sources say that staff would be back on the job as early as next week and maintained that they have already been paid.
But when contacted, the irate employees cleared up the matter.
“We never got paid. The only thing we are waiting on is for the people from the Labour Board to give us a call and that won’t be until next week because the owner of the company is off the island.”
By: KEVA LIGHTBOURNE, The Nassau Guardian
