Director of Labour Robert Farquharson has said that reports of the Royal Sandals Bahamian Resort & Spa closing are only alleged reports.

Yesterday, during an interview with the Bahama Journal, he said that the department has initiated a full investigation.

“Under the provisions of code of industrial practice, employers are required to advise the Government of The Bahamas in the event there is such action,” he said.

“The Department of Labour has initiated an investigation to confirm or deny these reports.

We have been in contact with the senior management of the resort and we anticipate that as a result of those inquires we should be in a better position to advise members of the public indeed if the hotel will be temporarily closed and how employees will be affected by that closure.”

The resort will close their doors from August 15-October 13.

Sandals has also been served with a summons to appear in court for failing to recognize the Bahamas Hotel Maintenance and Allied Workers Union (BMHAWU) as the resort’s workers’ union representative.

Member for Long Island Loretta Butler-Turner says Mr. Farquharson seems to be unaware of what’s truly going on with the closure of the hotel.

“According to press reports, the director of labour appeared to be caught off guard by the closure. The scant notice to workers of a mere 12 days is also of concern,” she said in a press statement.

“The resort employs approximately 400 line staff and under 100 managers. This is a significant staff complement in a tourism economy already reeling from high unemployment and stagnant growth. The closure for such a length of time is yet another worrying sign for our troubled tourism industry and will affect other businesses and workers in the tourism sector.”

Mrs. Butler-Turner also noted the fact that around the same time the closure occurs, parents will be preparing for the opening of the school year.

She went on to add that the resort’s closure brings many questions.

The resort is scheduled to appear in court #10 on August 10.

Since 2009, the union has been agitating officials to implement an industrial agreement.