Sacked worker made suicide attempt twice

Dubai: Manuel Pereira, a Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort employee, who allegedly committed suicide near Mumbai airport, attempted suicide twice at the hotel before being terminated, Gulf News has learnt.

Dr Tara Wyne, Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Director at The Lighthouse Arabia, Dubai, told Gulf News, suicidality means a high risk of self harm or taking one's life. "An employer should opt for safety measures like medication, in-patient admission and/ or provide appropriate family support and supervision," she said.

An employee of the hotel spoke to Gulf News exclusively about the incidents leading to Manuel's termination. The source, a co-worker who declined to be identified, said, "On January 12, Manuel took his roommate's mobile phone charger and tried to eat the wire to harm himself. When his roommate tried to stop him, he retaliated in anger by throwing his TV in the bathroom. This happened in the staff accommodation."

The following day Manuel was distressed the co-worked explained. "On January 13, he attempted suicide again. A little after noon, he went to a desert area near the hotel property. He tried to hang himself on the barrier using a rope. A group of staff members rescued him and informed the hotel management."

When asked whether the co-worker had information to explain the suicide attempts, he said, "Manuel had found two gold-plated trinkets at the hotel lounge, and told a colleague that he had forgotten to return them. He returned the objects on January 13. But around the same time, the housekeeping department checked with him twice whether he knows anything about a gold chain missing from one of the rooms that he cleans. He said he hadn't robbed anything."

Consequence

In an attempt to understand the consequence of an act in which a member of hotel staff is found guilty of robbery, Gulf News asked the co-worker if there were any other accounts.

He said: "In the past, a Sri Lankan employee who robbed a mobile phone was reported to the police, and even she attempted suicide. Then another steward tried to commit suicide because he couldn't pay the money required to resign. I met Manuel on several occasions after he was accused. He kept saying that he didn't rob anything, and that he was scared that he might be reported to the police. He said he didn't want to shame other Goans working in the hotel."

Manuel allegedly committed suicide near Mumbai airport on January 15. According to reports in Indian newspapers, police officials have confirmed that it was a suicide, and that the deceased was upset after his visa was cancelled in Dubai.

Hotel's reaction

"Manuel had been working with the hotel for a few months. There were no known problems with the management. He was in fact hoping to get a break in the shipping line, and was preparing for it by finding out what exams he needs to pass. Then he showed signs of distress and started behaving strangely," the co-worker told Gulf News.

The Goan staff at the hotel were concerned. "One member of the staff offered to accompany Manuel to Goa at his own cost, but did not get a confirmed ticket," he said.

He added, "One of the staff members also contacted Kennedy, Manuel's brother-in-law in Goa, and informed him about his relative's termination".

Gulf News approached Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort for a statement after learning about the fact that Manuel attempted suicide twice on the hotel property before being terminated. The company spokesperson Heather Shaw said, "All employment matters between Hilton Worldwide and its Team Members are private and confidential.

"The health, safety and well being of our Team Members are of paramount importance and we make every effort to ensure that all practices and standards are in line with all local employment regulations."

In a phone interview, Kennedy Rebello confirmed that he received a call from the co-worker. He said, "Yes, I was informed that Manuel was terminated. But we didn't get an official call."

Flaviano Pereira, Manuel's cousin, was also contacted. He told Gulf News, "We are waiting to hear from the hotel management. We have sent a letter to the Indian Consulate in Dubai, requesting that they investigate the reason for the termination. We found out that he was distraught at the airport and tore the buttons off his shirt. Despite this, the airline staff made him board the flight. If he was unfit to fly, he should have been under police supervision. These are basic travel rules."

Psychologist warns

Dr Wyne told Gulf News, "Employers should be responsible for all aspects of their employees' health, including mental health. If they are aware of suicidality, they need to take appropriate action to ensure the employees' safety. An employer has to assess the suicidal person, and their risk of self harm, and take appropriate action".