Twelve employees of Lautoka’s South Seas Club are jobless after the popular venue was abruptly closed under a court order, leaving workers locked out and uncertain about their jobs.
The court order, executed on Monday, handed management of the club to an interim committee. When staff reported for work the following morning, they found the gates locked and a notice stating the club was “under the administrators of South Seas Club” and temporarily closed until further notice.
Employee Adi Laisa Volatabu said staff had received no communication from their employer and did not know where to turn for help.
Sera Tukana said workers were denied entry and instructed to surrender all club keys.
“The least they could do was give us notice and time to look for work somewhere else,” she said.
The closure has also affected tenants. Restaurant owner Hafiz Rahman said he was forced to shut a business he had operated at the club for more than 20 years.
“It came as a real shock and as a tenant I wished that I could have been told before this was going to happen,” he said.
Staff member Salote Ratu said three customers had already paid to hire the club’s hall, including one who had paid $1000 in full.
Former manager Jan Mohammed who’s in Japan said he would make an official statement after consulting with his lawyer.
The South Seas Club was ordered to be handed over to an interim committee in 2022, but the transfer was delayed while an appeal was before the Court of Appeal. Last week, the appeal was dismissed, allowing the committee led by Sanjay Prasad, Cecil James and Raymond Singh to assume control.
Lawyer Anil Prasad said his clients were carrying out the court’s orders. Asked about the workers, he said the court order had to be executed.
The affected employees have since approached the Ministry of Employment for advice on their rights and entitlements.
Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh said labour officers at the Lautoka officer were looking into the matter.
