The Workplace Relations Commission found that a bank indirectly discriminated against an Iranian customer by imposing restrictions on his account and ordered it to pay €8,000. The decision was dated 22 May 2018.
The customer said he could not use his account for personal or business dealings connected with Iran and moved his money to another bank. The bank said its enhanced checks and sanctions declaration were needed to meet anti-money laundering and sanctions obligations, and applied to customers of any nationality with financial ties to Iran.
The WRC found that the measures disproportionately affected Iranian customers. It accepted that the bank had legitimate aims, but found the restrictions and indemnity were neither appropriate nor necessary. It also ordered the bank to review and amend its enhanced due diligence procedures to comply with the Equal Status Act.