More than 30 former Iririki Casino staff were forced to accept ten per cent of what they were owed and denied millions of vatu by their employers.
A VBTC News investigation discovered that the failure to pay full entitlements to staff happened after the new owners of the Iririki Island Resort closed the popular Jewel Casino early in 2024.
Former staff members told VBTC News that the previous owners, Darren and Shane Pettiona, and Peter Stockley, told disconsolate staff they would only offer them VT4 million of the VT40 million owed them.
‘’We were told that if we didn’t take it, there would be nothing,” said a former staff.
“I was owed more than VT2 million, so I got almost nothing as well as losing my job.
“I am not happy because of how we are being treated. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen again to another group of locals.’’
VBTC News has spoken to two other former casino staff members who were each owed more than VT500,000 in entitlements.
None of the staff interviewed wanted their names published as they said they feared their former employers.
One said she was owed VT400,000 and still waiting to receive her hard-earned pay.
“We did get a normal pay of VT24,000 after the owners left, but that’s it,’’ she said.
‘It’s sad because it’s been over 20 years since they came and invested here and they just stole our money and then left; it’s not fair.’’
Jewel Casino general manager Bernie Millman was another victim – he was ripped off by the staggering amount of VT10 million after a long series of promises by the past owners of final payments that never eventuated.
Many of the former casino staff have been unable to think regular work since the casino closed.
“When the new owner came, we didn’t receive any of the three months’ notice payments, but we left with a promise of VT8 million to be shared with each staff but up until now we haven’t received any of the promised money,’’ said a former senior staff member.
“Staff have died and resigned and have not seen any vatu from their hardwork as well.
“Few staff are owed VT6 million, one is owed VT3 million, three staff are owed VT2 million and the rest less than VT1 million each.
“We have spoken to Labour about this but were told we could not take our money back. All we want is our severance, annual holiday pay and three months’ notice payments.’’
Currently there are 15 former Iririki staff working at another local casino in town and a few others are now part of the Labour Mobility scheme.
VBTC News was unable to get comments from the previous owners, Darren and Shane Pettiona and Peter Stockley as their whereabouts are unknown.
Current resort owners Brendon and Mark Deeley have not been involved in any of these transactions.
Meanwhile the Department of Labour and Employment Services is aware of the problem.
Under the laws, a severance allowance is applicable when an employee has been in the continuous employment of an employer for a period of not less than 12 months.
For the annual leave, entitlement after the contract is terminated is based on the total time worked after the employee has completed at least 3 months notice.
VBTC News understands the former staffs are seeking legal actions.
