500 employees of Jacks Fiji to have no jobs from mid next month

500 employees of Jacks Fiji will have no jobs from mid next month.

Jacks Group of Companies CEO, Bhavin Khatri says a significant number of employees are being impacted as their business is predominantly tourism related.

He says 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 says there is great uncertainty on how long the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic will continue and at this stage there is no positive sign of a turnaround in the next 4 to 6 months.

The letter also says that the impact on their business will be even longer as they operate in the non-essential category and their business is highly dependent on tourism and they are anticipating the impact on the business to continue for 18 to 24 months.

It also outlines the redundancy package the outgoing staff will 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.

Khatri also says that there is great uncertainty about the future and with the destruction already done, they are not looking at returning to their usual business in the foreseeable future.

900 workers will continue to stay employed at Jacks Fiji for now.