Rédaction Africa Links 24 with New Dawn
Published on 2024-02-28 01:05:00
The Golden Key Hotel Management in Liberia is currently facing accusations of bad labor practices and mistreatment by a dismissed female employee, Decontee Dennis. The allegations include claims of discrimination, physical assault, and eight months’ salary arrears owed to Dennis by the hotel management. However, the hotel management refutes these claims by arguing that Dennis was a casual worker and was never provided with an official employment letter.
Decontee Dennis, in a statement to reporters, detailed her experience of mistreatment at the hotel, including physical assault by the hotel owner, Madam Nowai Gorlorwulu. She alleges that after being physically assaulted by Gorlorwulu, she was abruptly terminated from her job without receiving her due salary. Dennis also highlighted the harsh and unfair working conditions that employees at the hotel endure, claiming that she remained silent during her employment out of fear of intimidation and lack of job opportunities.
Dennis recounted an incident where she was allegedly slapped by Gorlorwulu for refusing to clean a warehouse while she was already catering to guests. This incident escalated to her being sent home and subsequently terminated without receiving her salary. Her husband, Alphonso Dennis, also voiced his concerns about the mistreatment of his wife by the hotel management, stating that he was insulted when inquiring about the reasons behind her dismissal.
In response to these allegations, Madam Gorlorwulu, the proprietor of the hotel, acknowledged the salary arrears owed to Decontee Dennis but disputed the claims of mistreatment and illegal dismissal. She suggested that Dennis was hired as a contractor based on a gentleman’s agreement and lacked the qualifications for a waitress job. Gorlorwulu claimed that Dennis violated the hotel’s code of conduct and was dismissed for gross disrespect and alleged threats of physical altercation.
Madam Gorlorwulu further stated that any legal action taken by Dennis would be futile due to the absence of a written contract between them. She emphasized that Dennis was no longer welcome at the Golden Key Hotel and that her salary owed would be calculated and paid directly to the police. The hotel owner also cited the case of another former female employee who took RLJ Keneja Hotel and Villa to court for similar maltreatment.
The case of Decontee Dennis sheds light on the challenges faced by casual workers in Liberia and the need for stronger labor rights protections. The allegations of mistreatment and non-payment of wages highlight the vulnerability of employees in a system where labor practices are often exploitative. It underscores the importance of legal frameworks to safeguard the rights of workers and hold employers accountable for their actions.
Read the original article on The Newdawn Liberia
