Workers at Dhaka’s Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel have demanded an independent investigation into alleged management irregularities, including procurement corruption, irregular recruitment and undue influence over administrative decisions. Employees and insiders accuse Executive Director and former Acting General Manager Asif Ahmed of controlling key decisions through an internal syndicate. Sources say the hotel’s service standards and financial performance have declined amid complaints about renovation projects, tendering and appointments of less qualified managers. Allegations also include excessive benefits for Ahmed and pressure on officials reviewing the hotel’s operations. Workers are urging the government to form an independent probe committee, while the hotel’s Singapore-based management is reportedly considering removing Ahmed. Attempts were made to contact Acting General Manager Asif Ahmed over the phone regarding this matter, but he could not be reached.
DHAKA, March 9 (Dbarta24.com) – Workers at Dhaka’s landmark Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel have called for an independent investigation into alleged irregularities in the hotel’s management, including claims of procurement corruption, irregular recruitment and undue influence over administrative decisions.
The hotel, one of Bangladesh’s oldest five-star establishments, has been operated under the supervision of the Singapore-based Pan Pacific Hotels Group and is owned by the government-controlled Hotels International Limited.
Former Acting General Manager Asif Ahmed, who currently serves as Executive Director, has been accused by some employees and insiders of influencing key decisions through what they describe as a powerful internal syndicate.
The hotel was founded in 1979 after the foundation stone was laid by former President Ziaur Rahman. For decades it operated as a profitable enterprise, with industry insiders crediting the workforce’s experience and dedication for its success.
However, several sources said the hotel’s performance and service standards have declined in recent years amid allegations of inefficient management, irregularities in renovation projects, commission-based procurement practices and problems in the tendering process.
Employees also alleged that less experienced individuals were appointed to management positions while more qualified candidates were overlooked.
Some insiders claimed that following the country’s political shift on Aug. 5, several experienced managers – including a foreign general manager – were forced to resign with the support of certain leaders of the workers’ union, known locally as the Collective Bargaining Agent (CBA).
Workers who raised the allegations said many employees are reluctant to speak publicly due to the influence of a section of the union leadership, though dissatisfaction among staff is growing internally.
Sources alleged that Ahmed currently receives a monthly salary and benefits totaling around 750,000 Bangladeshi taka ($6,800). They also claimed that he has access to a hotel vehicle and driver for personal use and has kept an executive room reserved for himself despite not regularly staying at the hotel. The room’s daily rate is about 30,000 taka, according to the sources.
Officials at Hotels International Limited, which owns the property, have recently begun examining procurement, recruitment and administrative practices after the appointment of a new managing director and company secretary, sources said. Some officials involved in the process have faced pressure during the inquiry, according to insiders.
Questions have also been raised about political influence in the hotel’s management. Several sources alleged that Ahmed maintained ties with political authorities regardless of which party was in power.
The controversy deepened recently after a national newspaper published a report claiming the hotel’s newly appointed general manager was an Indian citizen and an agent of India’s intelligence agency RAW.
Sources said the report was inaccurate. The newly appointed general manager, Dominic D’Souza, is of Indian origin but emigrated to Canada many years ago and is currently a Canadian citizen.
Hotel insiders said the report harmed the reputation of the Sonargaon Hotel and created complications during the general manager’s travel to Bangladesh.
Some workers and employees have urged the government to form an independent investigation committee to examine the allegations and take action if wrongdoing is found.
Separately, sources said the hotel’s corporate office in Singapore had decided to remove Ahmed from his position following an internal review. The implementation of that decision, however, remains uncertain and depends on the final approval of the corporate authorities.