“Dundalk restaurant ordered to pay €79k to worker subjected to “economic slavery””

A Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) adjudicator has awarded €79,000 in compensation to a migrant worker who was found to have been subjected to what was described as “egregious exploitation” by a Dundalk restaurant.

The case involved Mr Vasantkumar Barot and his former employer, Madhu Foods Limited, trading as Guru Indian Cuisine, with a registered address at Park Street, Dundalk.

According to the WRC decision, Mr Barot paid almost €15,000 to secure a work permit after being promised a job as a commis chef working 40 hours per week for approximately €570 weekly.

However, the adjudication officer heard evidence that “what occurred was a deception where he was deceived about the purpose of the upfront payment.”

The complainant alleged he was required to work across multiple restaurant locations in Dundalk, Drogheda, Newry and Belfast, as well as on a farm, often working extremely long hours.

“It is alleged that he worked on average more than 90 hours a week,” the decision states, adding that his working day “began early in the morning and ended extremely late at night into the early morning.”…