THE Labour Division will launch a separate investigation into claims of sexual affairs and other abuses at Honiara’s five star hotel The Heritage Park.
Commissioner of Labour Josiah Manehia announced this in an urgent meeting he called yesterday.
This was after the Solomon Star published further allegations former hotel workers made against the three foreigners managing the establishment.
Mr Manehia, who is also a member of the National Provident Fund board, which holds 10 per cent share in the hotel, said his investigation will be separate from the one announced by the hotel’s board of directors.
"We will interview the current workers to get their version,” Mr Manehia said.
“I also appeal for former workers to come forward with any reports they want to tell us.
“They can do that in writing or come to our office to tell their story.
“We want to get to the bottom of the allegations to establish the truth,” he said.
Mr Manehia said his office had received complaints of abuse from former staff.
But he said there was nothing of sexual affairs or harassment.
"However, the allegations of sexual affairs raised by Jay Makana (the hotel’s former head of security) and others may have some elements of truth in them.
“They need to be properly investigated,” he said.
The meeting Mr Manehia called yesterday was attended by NPF Manager Investment, Mike Wate, Heritage Park Hotel financial controller, Prakash Govindankutty, his human resources superviser Cathy Auna, Labour's chief industrial relations officer, Brown Pwai and the Solomon Star.
Mr Govindankutty during the meeting denied any allegations of discrimination or sexual affairs with female staff.
He said not at any point did such things have happened.
"We will go out with them drinking at other hotels as friends but not having any sexual affairs with them," he said.
He said they only pushed the workers to work hard at the beginning to get the best out of them.
"If there is any case of discrimination, you will not find happy faces at Heritage Park Hotel.
"Happy faces are not signs of mistreatment," he said.
When asked about Jay Makana’s allegations, Mr Govindankutty said Mr Makana was very good to him.
He also presented a letter to Mr Manehia written by other security officers about what Mr Makana allegedly did at the hotel that led to his sacking.
However, Mr Manehia questioned the content of the letter, saying it was written in perfect English.
He said he will also talk to the security officers about the letter.
Meanwhile, the Port Moresby based directors of Heritage Park said they’ll look into allegations of abuse and mistreatment levelled against their Honiara-based managers.
The Heritage Park Hotel is owned by three shareholders.
National Provident Fund holds 10%, Papua New Guinea National Superannuation Fund (NASFund) has 60% and PNG hotelier Kostas Constantinou, 30%.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
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