RAINBOW Tourism Group Limited (RTG) says it will meet its salary obligations for the month of April and will not cut down any jobs despite the impact of the coronavirus induced 21-day national lockdown on the hospitality sector.
RTG chief executive, Tendai Madziwanyika said the hotel group placed its employees’ value at the core of its operations and as such, jobs were going to be spared.
“We will honour salary obligations for the COVID-19 lockdown period. However, remuneration matters are highly confidential in nature.
“We therefore cannot disclose any further detail in this regard.
“We do not foresee any job losses for now and we will comply with the government directive and resume operations when the lockdown is lifted. The safety of our employees remains our top priority.”
Days before the lockdown, government suspended the running of entertainment centres, pubs, and gathering of more than 50 people, among other measures for up to 60 days effective 20 March 2020.
Government followed this with its 21-day national lockdown which ends this coming Sunday.
“The group, in response, temporarily closed down all of its hotels during the lockdown period.
“The closure will have a significant impact on the group’s month of April 2020 revenues which traditionally account for 6 % of the total annual revenues,” said Madziwanyika.
He said the group was yet to quantify the total impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on its operations.
He added that the board was nonetheless optimistic that business will significantly recover once the pandemic is under control.
Madziwanyika said some perishable food items which were in stock at the time of the lockdown announcement were sold to staff and the rest was donated to selected children’s homes.
