Philipsburg:--- The President of the Workers Institute for Organized Labour (WIFOL) Theophillus Thompson confirmed on Thursday during the union's weekly press briefing that he has begun some investigations about the Simpson Bay Resort Management Company (SBRMC). Thompson said he has heard rumors indicating that the Hard Rock Café Franchise is interested in purchasing the former Pelican Resorts Club.The WIFOL President also confirmed that the attorney representing the resort submitted a request to the Court of First Instance asking that the ongoing court case be postponed since he would be off island.
SMN News was contacted by several persons last week who indicated that the attorney and the current owners of SBRMC are negotiating the sale of the resort and that they would request that the case which was scheduled for March 14, 2012 be postponed. One of the persons who contacted SMN News also suggested that one of St. Maarten's Ministers is behind the sale and purchase of the former Pelican Resorts. SMN News further learnt that Hard Rock Café in Florida already purchased the former Pelican Resort Club and that the name of the resort will be changed to Hard Rock Resorts. SMN News also learnt that Member of Parliament Jules James has submitted his resignation to SBRMC. However, the information we received could not be confirmed since both management and the attorney representing the resort are tightlipped.
Thompson said that he too received the same information and he immediately started to investigate and that is how he learnt that Hard Rock Café is a franchise company in several countries. He said he also learnt that the franchise of Florida is the one interested in purchasing the resort.
In the meantime, Thompson said he also submitted a request to meet with the Minister of Economic Affairs and Tourism and whenever that meeting is convened he will be confront the Minister with the information he received to see if those in government would be able to shed more light on the developments at the Simpson Bay Resort Management Company.
Thompson also raised concerns about the welfare of the over 50 women that are working for SBRMC. He said just recently International Women's Day was celebrated and the women working at the SBRMC have not been paid since last year. Thompson said it's a pity that one of the Members of Parliament who is also the manager of SBRMC was allowed to lay them off and has since refused to pay them.
The WIFOL president said that while women throughout the world celebrated their day, the female workers of the Simpson Bay Resort Management Company were not so fortunate.
He said the ILO recognizes International Women's Day especially due to their contribution in the work force and therefore women have earned the right to equal pay and the right to vote.