Courts / Cavan / Report
Takeaway chef who worked up to 73 hours per week wins €154k for multiple employment rights violations
Summary
A Workplace Relations Commission adjudicator has ordered a Cavan takeaway business to pay €154,828 in compensation to a Chinese national for serious employment rights violations sustained over two years. The worker, employed at Lam's Asian Cuisine and Eskimo Pizza in Ballyjamesduff, was found to have worked between 68 and 73 hours weekly while earning as little as €3 per hour. The adjudicator upheld all 14 complaints filed, including breaches of working time legislation, minimum wage requirements, and equality law. The employer had required repayment of approximately €31,000 in recruitment fees through wage deductions. Adjudicator Shay Henry found the complainant's vulnerable immigration status rendered him susceptible to exploitation and determined no legitimate loans existed. The largest award of €60,000 addressed discrimination on racial grounds. The respondent business director failed to attend hearings, citing stress.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Takeaway chef who worked up to 73 hours per week wins €154k for multiple employment rights violations. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- May 2023 Other
- July 2023 Other
- 2025-10-31 Publication
Why: Translating the worker's evidence at a hearing in February, a WRC interpreter said: "He worked more hours than other colleagues, because sometimes when they finished work, he had to stay to do the clean-up. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Places mentioned
- Main Street
Topics
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