Malliouhana Hotel did not reopen after the passage of Hurricane Irma, despite the resort sustaining considerably less damage than many other properties on the island. Most of the employees were kept on reduced hours to maintain the upkeep of the property to secure and prevent it from depreciating further. Later on, at no fault of their own, the employees got caught up in the foreclosure and the auctioning dispute of the hotel between the lender and owner.
As a result of this dispute, employees were not paid their salaries and wages for over two months. Employees, thereafter, experienced financial hardships and have been unable to provide for their families, make bank loan payments, pay utilities bills and fees for rental apartments. Despite the economical, emotional and psychological challenges, employees continue to report to work on a daily basis, demonstrating the indomitable and resilient spirit that epitomizes us as a people. I have seen employees catching lifts to work and carpooling because they were unable to purchase gasoline for their vehicles.
I have also seen elements of the old Anguillian jollification spirit on display with regard to the provision of lunch meals for employees. Some staff brought food items from their homes, and relief food supplies they received from the Anguilla Stronger Relief Centre located at Four Seasons, to cook so that everyone can partake. Soft drinks, disposable plates, forks and cups were also provided by some staff members. It was truly a demonstration of unity, strength and endurance, and employees being their brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.
I must commend the employees for being patient, respectful and professional throughout the difficult situation. Despite a few outbursts here and there, employees stuck together and declared that, “We are in this together.” I observed employees exhibiting great self-control, self-discipline and who refused to give up despite the adverse situation. Employees did not allow the situation to get the better of them. They displayed a mental toughness and, in my view, they grew in the process. One young employee informed me that the situation has helped him to become more patient. Another staff observed that he would be able to save more money going forward as he now realized that he spends money foolishly.
I saw a Management and Supervisory team who remained cool, calm and steady under intense pressure. Although, they too didn’t receive any salary payments for over two months, they had to persevere and manage the stress levels of employees compassionately, putting the interests of staff above theirs. Management gave words of encouragement on a daily basis to employees to uplift their spirits. The team served with distinction. Leadership is about serving others, and not about wanting others to serve you. “It is [always] better to live humbly among the oppressed than to live it up among the rich and famous.”
I saw employees demonstrate incredible faith, giving them power over their circumstances. They did not break knowing that, notwithstanding the uncomfortable situation, they are going to have a successful outcome in the end. They were conscious and acted true to the saying that: “The only power people have over you is the power you give them.” I saw a team of employees that have a heart of gratitude, expressing thanks for everything and in everything.
To some extent, the employees at Malliouhana chartered their own course and illustrated that unity is strength. As a team, employees came together and no matter how challenging and adverse the situation, they proved that as a people we can accomplish so much when we put our egos, selfishness, greed, malice and negative talk aside. Let us be more compassionate, kind, patient, loving and uplifting, looking out for each other. It is said that, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Anguilla is bigger than all of us.
