Almond Nail Bar staff in work stoppage

Technicians at multiple local Almond Nail Bar locations have walked off the job, calling for their paycheques.

The CF Polo Park location was closed Wednesday afternoon. Around 10 workers stood outside, holding signs alleging the company was exploiting foreign workers and staff hadn’t received pay.

They were kicked out by CF Polo Park management just before 4 p.m.

“I cannot keep working for someone for free,” said Harjeet Cheema, 28. “I ran out of money.”

She estimated 30 staff were protesting unpaid wages at Almond Nail Bar locations at CF Polo Park, Meadowood and Niverville.

She and a colleague told the Free Press they’d quit the company; others hoped to stay. Cheema said she’d worked in Meadowood.

Almond Nail Bar co-founder Thomas Nguyen confirmed wages have been delayed for workers at the three sites. Three pay periods — cumulatively around 1.5 to two months — have been missed for some.

“Our team is fully committed and will take full responsibility for our staff’s wages,” Nguyen said, adding he was made aware of the situation last month. “We’ll continue to work with our locations to make sure that all staff are paid.”

Nguyen blamed “serious and financial challenges” for the unpaid wages, including a seasonal change leading to less customer traffic.

Almond Nail Bar opened in CF Polo Park five years ago. The Meadowood and Niverville hubs opened in 2024.

Nguyen said the brand manages the three locations in question, but they’re owned by a franchisee, adding he didn’t know how many workers still need payment. Almond Nail Bar is working with Manitoba Employment Standards, he said.

The government department didn’t answer questions immediately Wednesday. Almond Nail Bar workers said they filed a complaint.

Meantime, Almond Nail Bar has promoted its opening inside Real Canadian Superstores. It has six Ontario and Alberta locations advertised on its website. Asked how it can afford the expansion, Nguyen pointed to the franchise model.

The chain will “find a way” to pay its workers, even as the three locations temporarily close, Nguyen said.

Almond Nail Bar has 16 Manitoba shops and two in British Columbia. It’s opening new sites in British Columbia, Ontario and Saskatchewan, Nguyen said.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com