Courts / Clare / Report
Filipino swimming coaches win back thousands in docked wages as promise of 'a better life in Ireland' dashed
Summary
Three Filipino swimming instructors recruited from the Philippines to teach in Ireland had hundreds of euros a week docked from their wages for alleged "training costs" before being dismissed. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found no evidence that the swim school spent €3,000 training each worker. The instructors were hired on the promise of a better life in Ireland, but were forced to accept pay cuts or risk termination. The WRC heard that the school had paid for work permits, visas and flights, but claimed the training cost €3,000 per worker. The school relied on agreements signed in English without translation or legal advice. The WRC ruled the deductions illegal, awarded each of the three workers €2,307.68, and ordered the school to pay a total of €11,939.53 to the group. The case was heard in Ennis, Co Clare, in November and December 2024. The company and employees remain anonymised due to parallel proceedings.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Filipino swimming coaches win back thousands in docked wages as promise of 'a better life in Ireland' dashed. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- June 2022 Other
- August 2022 Other
- January 2023 Other
- September 2023 Other
- 28 June 2023 Other
- 2025-05-29 Publication
Why: Under questioning from Elaine Davern-Wiseman BL, who acted for the group of workers instructed by Martina Murphy Solicitors, the workers explained that these agreements were provided to them in English, without a translation to Tagalog provided, and that they signed them without having an opportunity to take legal advice. CNI source report
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Tech worker couldn't meet heating bills after €150k salary went unpaid for months, WRC hears
- 'Some crimes you can't walk away from': pair high on laughing gas when they randomly attacked woman
- Former accountant went on 'nationwide tour' with bank card stolen from hospital patient
- Five years for man who killed pensioner with 'MMA' back spin kick
- Young man who killed pensioner with 'MMA' back spin kick remanded in custody
- Young man killed pensioner with 'back spin kick like MMA'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request