Courts / Cavan / Report

Businessman accused of 'violating and exploiting' chef who claims he worked up to 73 hours a week

Summary

A chef employed at restaurants in Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan has lodged multiple employment rights complaints at the Workplace Relations Commission against a businessman and his limited company. The worker, a Chinese national, alleges he was subjected to excessive working hours, sometimes exceeding seventy hours weekly, between August 2022 and August 2024, while substantial deductions were made from his wages purportedly to repay recruitment fees of approximately €31,000. He claims these deductions breached employment law and left him earning below the statutory minimum wage. The respondent's wife, appearing as a witness, declined to address questions about wage deductions and working time compliance, stating such matters required her accountant's input. The respondent's legal representative denied the recruitment fees constituted unlawful deductions and characterised the dispute as a contractual matter between parties whose relationship had deteriorated. Adjudicator Shay Henry refused an adjournment request and heard the case over two days. The worker seeks back pay, compensation for unlawful deductions, and damages for breaches of working time and related employment legislation. The adjudicator reserved his decision.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Businessman accused of 'violating and exploiting' chef who claims he worked up to 73 hours a week. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• 1 August 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
• 6 August 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
• July 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 2023 Other
• July 2023 Other
• 2025-05-01 Publication

Why: Ms Ndawo put it to her that there were texts from her client to the witness stating he was "highly depressed because you were making deductions [to the point] that he was hardly able to afford any luxuries or any essentials that he had as an adult male living in Ireland". CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report