Courts / Cavan / Report
'The house was freezing cold, you wouldn't sit in an open space – you'd be in bed': Zimbabwean care workers tell tribunal of conditions in shared accomodation
Summary
Nobuhle Sibanda, Agapau Munashe Zvihari, Nombeko Hlabangana, Tatenda Ncube, Allen Phillip Ndhlovu, and Nicola Sibanda are applicants in a trial-stage hearing before the Workplace Relations Commission. They allege violations of the Payment of Wages Act 1991 against their former employer, Unity Healthcare Services Ltd. The applicants claim they paid recruitment fees of €2,000 to €3,600 to secure work permits but were left without promised employment or wages. They testified to living in freezing shared accommodation in County Cavan, where they allegedly pooled resources for basic necessities after promised weekly stipends ceased. The company actively disputes these complaints. During the hearing, applicants described threats regarding work permit cancellations and difficulties obtaining letters of no objection to accept alternative employment. The matter was adjourned by adjudication officer Breiffni O'Neill, who will hear evidence from a ninth complainant at a later date. No findings, sentences, or final disposals have been recorded, as the proceedings remain ongoing.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'The house was freezing cold, you wouldn't sit in an open space – you'd be in bed': Zimbabwean care workers tell tribunal of conditions in shared accomodation. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- December 2023 Other
- January 2024 Other
- March 2024 Other
- New Year's Eve Other
- 2025-11-14 Publication
Why: Ms Mubaiwa said that in order to pay for her son to sit exams, her mother had resorted to borrowing money. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Outcome: The matter has been adjourned by adjudication officer Breiffni O'Neill, who will hear the evidence of a ninth complainant at a later date.
Applicant
Outcome: The matter has been adjourned by adjudication officer Breiffni O'Neill, who will hear the evidence of a ninth complainant at a later date.
Places mentioned
Topics
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