Courts / Kildare / Report
Romanian workers let go by Intel contractor days after being subjected to racist behaviour, WRC hears
Summary
Eleven Romanian workers were dismissed by an engineering firm, Rigotec International Ltd, days after they were subjected to racist behaviour at the Intel plant in Co Kildare, a tribunal has heard. Trade union Unite accused the firm of unlawful dismissal in a "sham redundancy" in February 2024. Six of the workers are pursuing complaints under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977. Rigotec maintains the redundancies were genuine and the result of a downturn in work. At the Workplace Relations Commission, counsel for the employer, Cillian McGovern BL, stated that two men had engaged in racist behaviour towards the complainants. Site manager Alan Jennings said one worker made a racist remark and received a written warning, while another was dismissed for aggressive behaviour. The workers were let go four days later, including the man who made the racist remark. Andrew Turner of Hamilton Turner Solicitors, appearing for the workers, argued that the redundancies were a sham and not due to a downturn in work. Adjudicator Monica Brennan will return her decision at a later date.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Romanian workers let go by Intel contractor days after being subjected to racist behaviour, WRC hears. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- February 2024 Other
- Friday 27 January Other
- Friday, 2 February 2024 Other
- January 2024 Incident
- 2026-01-14 Publication
Places mentioned
Topics
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