The management of De Duine Hotel in Henties Bay has reversed its decision to implement the new company decisions, which were contained in a leaked letter sent to the hotel's employees a fortnight ago.

The letter seen by nbc News read in part that:

“All gratuities will remain the property of the hotel for distribution among personnel as per its own judgement or to cover costs.” 

It further stated that the fees will be deemed as loans to the employees and then deducted from their salaries as deemed fit by the hotel, among others.

Justice and Labour Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel, upon reading the letter’s contents, instructed the Executive Director for Labour Relations to dispatch a team to look into the matter, promising that, should the letter be authentic, the ministry was bound to take drastic measures.

In a recent letter, the management has decided to reverse its initial decisions to retain the gratuities or deem them as loans to the employees, immediately refund all gratuities collected from employees and pay employees by today.

They also agreed to pay Sunday time and nighttime allowances in addition to their salaries, as well as to simplify and shorten their employment contracts to make it easier for them to understand what they pertain to.

In addition, the company also agreed to pay its employees the government’s minimum wage.

Immanuel says the ministry is content with the swift and responsible decision made by the hotel after the ministry’s intervention.

He warned that employers in Namibia should take note that it’s no longer business as usual and that the new chapter recently opened is intolerant of any form of actual or potential abuse as well as exploitation of employees by their employers.

In its initial communication, De Duine management informed workers that all gratuities would, going forward  remain the property of the hotel for distribution among personnel at its discretion or to cover costs.