Businessman accused of 'violating and exploiting' chef who claims he worked up to 73 hours a week

A chef employed at restaurants in Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan has lodged multiple employment rights complaints at the Workplace Relations Commission against a businessman and his limited company. The worker, a Chinese national, alleges he was subjected to excessive working hours, sometimes exceeding seventy hours weekly, between August 2022 and August 2024, while substantial deductions were made from his wages purportedly to repay recruitment fees of approximately €31,000. He claims these deductions breached employment law and left him earning below the statutory minimum wage. The respondent's wife, appearing as a witness, declined to address questions about wage deductions and working time compliance, stating such matters required her accountant's input. The respondent's legal representative denied the recruitment fees constituted unlawful deductions and characterised the dispute as a contractual matter between parties whose relationship had deteriorated. Adjudicator Shay Henry refused an adjournment request and heard the case over two days. The worker seeks back pay, compensation for unlawful deductions, and damages for breaches of working time and related employment legislation. The adjudicator reserved his decision.