Continental puts up shutters

THE landmark Continental Hotel in Windhoek has locked its doors and switched off the lights.

There is no manager at the premises and the hotel owes over N$20 000 in pension, social security and union contributions for its employees. According to Kiros Sakarias, acting General Secretary of the Namibian Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau), the union “is shocked to learn that the Continental Hotel is being liquidated”.The union maintains that “this bankruptcy came as a result of poor management and lack of interest in providing quality and competitive services to customers”.Sakarias said the union “was given a tip (off) on the matter and immediately approached the Continental’s management.In that meeting we were given the assurance that, in the event of a situation like that (liquidation), when and if it occurs, the union will be informed.”The Namibian has been unable to contact the hotel manager, Reiner Shikwa.Axel Behnsen, a director of Continental Pty Ltd – the company that owns the building – confirmed that the hotel had been closed down.”Yes, the tenants did not pay the rent,” he said.The tenant is Windhoek Caterers Pty Ltd, represented by a certain Mr Teixeira.He too, could not be reached for comment.The union is particularly concerned because the hotel workers’ pension contributions have not been paid for more than four months.Social security and union fees that the hotel was to pay on behalf of its workers were also outstanding.”However, money was deducted from our members,” Sakarias said.An earlier agreement between the union and hotel management that allowed the hotel to pay off the outstanding contributions in three parts is now in jeopardy as only the first payment [due last Saturday] has been made.The other two payments were to have been made in March and April.The hotel employed more than 100 workers.The staff have all been sent home, Sakarias said the union would meet with the workers again.According to Kiros Sakarias, acting General Secretary of the Namibian Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau), the union “is shocked to learn that the Continental Hotel is being liquidated”.The union maintains that “this bankruptcy came as a result of poor management and lack of interest in providing quality and competitive services to customers”.Sakarias said the union “was given a tip (off) on the matter and immediately approached the Continental’s management.In that meeting we were given the assurance that, in the event of a situation like that (liquidation), when and if it occurs, the union will be informed.”The Namibian has been unable to contact the hotel manager, Reiner Shikwa.Axel Behnsen, a director of Continental Pty Ltd – the company that owns the building – confirmed that the hotel had been closed down.”Yes, the tenants did not pay the rent,” he said.The tenant is Windhoek Caterers Pty Ltd, represented by a certain Mr Teixeira.He too, could not be reached for comment.The union is particularly concerned because the hotel workers’ pension contributions have not been paid for more than four months.Social security and union fees that the hotel was to pay on behalf of its workers were also outstanding.”However, money was deducted from our members,” Sakarias said.An earlier agreement between the union and hotel management that allowed the hotel to pay off the outstanding contributions in three parts is now in jeopardy as only the first payment [due last Saturday] has been made.The other two payments were to have been made in March and April.The hotel employed more than 100 workers.The staff have all been sent home, Sakarias said the union would meet with the workers again.