8 December 2005 Edition

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Foreign workers speak out

"We had no overtime pay. We got Bank Holidays and Annual Leave but they were unpaid. We have no contracts so we can't say what our hours or what type of work we should be doing. The employers told us only Irish workers need payslips."

- Arek, Construction worker from Poland.

"Bad employers were replacing Irish workers on minimum wage with foreign workers working for less. We want to be treated the same."

- William, Chef from Romania.

"We worked about 50 hours a week and were paid less than the Minimum Wage. Our boss deducted money for our work permits, flight ticket and agency fees — even though we had paid the agency in the Philippines. He told us the permit cost €500. After a year he had deducted €2,400."

- Elvi, Catering worker from the Philippines quoted in the Irish Times on Wednesday.


An Phoblacht
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Ireland