laid off from Sonesta Beach.

Darragh Moore and Robert Faichney were among five expatriate waiters to receive six weeks' notice on New Year's Day.

They claimed management failed to come up with a valid reason for not renewing their work permits.

And they fear they may have been targeted for being outspoken in their criticism of the hotel.

"The whole hotel is wondering why this has happened. All we want is a legitimate reason,'' said 22-year-old Mr. Moore.

Mr. Faichney, 26, said the redundancies bombshell was dropped after the busiest time of the year -- and just as employees were preparing for holidays.

One of the waiters had been leaving to get married. Now he would have no job to return to.

Mr. Faichney, who hails from Scotland, questioned the morality of management.

"If they had come up to us in a nice way it wouldn't have been so bad, but the manner in which it was done was deplorable.'' The pair, who have been at the hotel eight months, said Bermuda Industrial Union leaders would be meeting Sonesta management today over the controversy.

A complaint had also been made to the Human Rights Commission.

Last night Sonesta vice-president Dennis Tucker said: "We've made a business decision not to renew five work permits at the hotel.

"It is our hope and intention to find suitably qualified Bermudians to fill those posts.

"We have a responsibility to continue to advertise positions that are not held by Bermudians. We should try to fill all those positions.'' Laid off with Mr. Moore and Mr. Faichney were an Indian waiter and two Barbadians, Roy Richards and Warrington Lorde.

The Royal Gazette has obtained a copy of a letter to Mr. Moore from Sonesta president Joseph Violi.

It read: "In reviewing our operations in 1996, we evaluate our profitability and guest satisfaction results.

"During this review, we assess job performance of our staff as they affect the success of our resort.

"All non-Bermudian employees are employed under a work permit that runs year to year. Darragh, your permit expires on March 25, 1997.

"In the evaluation of those work permits we will put in for renewal, we have made a decision not to renew your permit for the 1997 season.'' Mr. Violi added: "This decision was made due to consistent and documented work related issues this year, and your performance was less than satisfactory.

"Accordingly, and without prejudice to what I just stated, we hereby give you six weeks' notice of termination of your contract of employment.'' The letter said management would allow him to remain in the dormitory until February 21, 1997.

"When you depart the dorm, it needs to be checked by our Human Resources Department to assess the condition of the room and its contents. If all is satisfactory, you will receive your security deposit refund.

"On February 21, if there are personal belongings still remaining in your room, they will be removed and disposed of.'' Yesterday Mr. Moore said identical letters had been sent to the waiters -- even though management had claimed their cases were different.

He strongly rejected the accusations over his work performance.

"I was marked `over average' when I was given a work evaluation, so how can they now say my performance in unsatisfactory.'' Mr. Moore said there was only one complaint against him in his file, relating to an argument he had in the kitchen.

"I was later told this had been stricken from the file. One complaint can hardly be said to be consistent poor performance.

"I've received a lot of letters from guests complimenting me on my service.'' He pointed out he had experience of working in big hotels in his native Ireland, as well as in France. He had also been a trainee manager.

Sonesta Mr. Faichney, who has ten years experience in the restaurant business, also rejected criticisms about his work.

"I admit we are outspoken, but we only spoke out when asked for our comments on the way the hotel was being run.'' Mr. Faichney said Mr. Tucker appeared to minimise the implications of the redundancies.

"When we met he seemed to think it was not that big a deal, but when you come 5,000 miles and lose your job it is a big deal.'' The pair, who are seeking other jobs in Bermuda, were critical of Sonesta management, saying they had received little or no guidance on what the hotel expected of employees. Promises of training had also been unfulfilled.

Mr. Tucker last night defended management over the timing and manner of the lay-offs.

"There's never a good time to give anyone notice of these types of decisions.

There will always be complaints about the timing.

"I really don't want to debate our reasons through the Press. Obviously these employees have every right to disagree with our decision.'' Mr. Tucker added non-Bermudians knew full well their work permits were renewable annually.