Felix B Maduro staff left hanging in laundering probe

MINISTRY OF LABOR Secretary General Samuel Rivera met with employees of Felix B Maduro on Wednesday May 25, to discuss the future of the department store one of the latest acquisitions of the troubled Waked family.

Rivera told La Prensa that he told the workers that Minister Luis Ernesto Carles would be updating them periodically about the situation facing the company. It was the third informational meeting the ministry had had with employees and another is expected next week.

The employees have also requested a meeting with officials of the U.S. embassy to discuss the subject.

Felix stores have just over 1,000 employees. The business is one of the Waked Group  ventures placed on the Clinton list by the U.S. government due to allegations that the family was linked to drug traffickers. Because of the inclusion on the list, the stores can have no ties to U.S. entities, including banks. This has meant customers cannot pay with credit  or debit cards. The store has sought a license from the U.S. to continue operating.

The ministry has sent a request to company officials certifying that it can meet severance, payroll and social security obligations for the employees.