Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall Reduces Staff

The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort in Rose Hall, Jamaica, has laid off 83 of its more than 750 employees due to a continuing decline in group and corporate bookings.

“The hotel made adjustments and decisions in response to business needs. We are working with the Jamaican Labor Ministry and have made them aware of the situation,” Ritz-Carlton said in a statement.

Employees from several departments within the 427-room resort were handed letters of termination when they arrived at the main gate for work Wednesday. The layoffs were effective immediately.

The employees received severance packages and whatever pay was due them, Ritz-Carlton said. The letters stated that Ritz-Carlton was forced to reduce staff because of a downturn in business.

Ritz-Carlton has managed the luxury resort since 2000 but is currently in arbitration with the owners, who filed suit last September. The owners claim that Ritz-Carlton had mismanaged the resort and should pay $145 million in damages. The federal suit was filed by the Rollins family of Atlanta on Sept. 3.

Reports circulated at the time that U.S.-based Salamander Hospitality, which operates three luxury properties in the U.S., was in line to take over management of the resort if the Ritz-Carlton contract was terminated. A ruling in the case is expected shortly, according to the Jamaica Gleaner.