[Morlar]

Originally Posted by Chuck Stone

Does anyone else think that the Chef is a bit of a donkey for putting up with such crap? How the hell did he not understand he was being shafted?

The only reason I can think of is he was here on a permit where he is tied to that employer for x amount of years. No job = no permit.

If he had reported it he would have then lost his permit. I don't believe he just 'was not aware' or 'did not have a single chance to report it during all those years'.

[Bannasidhe]

Originally Posted by Morlar

The only reason I can think of is he was here on a permit where he is tied to that employer for x amount of years. No job = no permit.

If he had reported it he would have then lost his permit. I don't believe he just 'was not aware' or 'did not have a single chance to report it during all those years'.

Or perhaps like many people who are being abused he did not know where to turn to for help.

[Chuck Stone]

Originally Posted by Bannasidhe

Or perhaps like many people who are being abused he did not know where to turn to for help.

Reminds me of the slaves that were rescued from a Traveller site - I just have huge difficulty understanding why people like that don't try to do something even if it did mean being repatriated.

[mango salsa]

Originally Posted by Chuck Stone

Reminds me of the slaves that were rescued from a Traveller site - I just have huge difficulty understanding why people like that don't try to do something even if it did mean being repatriated.

Oh for **** sake - when you're being treated like a slave it's not bloody easy to do something to get out of the situation

[Chuck Stone]

Originally Posted by mango salsa

Oh for **** sake - when you're being treated like a slave it's not bloody easy to do something to get out of the situation

It isn't?

[mango salsa]

Originally Posted by Chuck Stone

It isn't?

Obviously not - particularly when they hold your work permit and passport and control your living accommodation

[Bannasidhe]

Originally Posted by Chuck Stone

Reminds me of the slaves that were rescued from a Traveller site - I just have huge difficulty understanding why people like that don't try to do something even if it did mean being repatriated.

Do you also have a huge difficulty understanding why people stay with abusive partner?

[Chuck Stone]

Originally Posted by mango salsa

Obviously not - particularly when they hold your work permit and passport and control your living accommodation

Forgive me if I have difficulty empathizing with slaves - you see I've never had that type of experience.

[Icepick]

So it looks look it will take the EU taking us to court to actually outlaw forced labour....

[Chuck Stone]

Originally Posted by Bannasidhe

Do you also have a huge difficulty understanding why people stay with abusive partner?

I can imagine why it would happen and I'd hazard a guess that there are complex psychological factors and that's before children and financial factors are considered.

You see when I try to put myself in the position of a slave the only file I can access is the 'I'm getting TF out of here as soon as possible' one.

[CiaranMT]

Originally Posted by Chuck Stone

I can imagine why it would happen and I'd hazard a guess that there are complex psychological factors and that's before children and financial factors are considered.

You see when I try to put myself in the position of a slave the only file I can access is the 'I'm getting TF out of here as soon as possible' one.

You couldn't come across as more naive/ignorant of others' situations.

[Chuck Stone]

Originally Posted by CiaranMT

You couldn't come across as more naive/ignorant of others' situations.

Yeah I'm probably coming across as ignorant and I'm usually a quite thoughtful person but the not running away thing is hard for me to grasp.

I'll do a bit of reading up on it.

I don't mean to offend and apologise if anyone has been.

I'm out.

[mango salsa]

Originally Posted by Chuck Stone

I can imagine why it would happen and I'd hazard a guess that there are complex psychological factors and that's before children and financial factors are considered.

You see when I try to put myself in the position of a slave the only file I can access is the 'I'm getting TF out of here as soon as possible' one.

sure but if people are controlling you through work permit, passport, violence, intimidation, control over your home - it's not easy

[Capt'n Midnight]

Just a reminder that €86,134 of this was back pay going to 10 years ago.

So for the restaurateur this is not a punishment, it's been a very cheap overdraft. That might never be paid off, what happens if the restaurant goes bust ??

It just sends a signal to other employers that "hey if you get caught, we'll only ask you to pay back what you got caught for"

Of course if the employee had dipped his hand in the till for a fraction of that amount what are the chances that he'd have a criminal record for it or perhaps time in prison ?

[sensibleken]

Originally Posted by Capt'n Midnight

Just a reminder that €86,134 of this was back pay going to 10 years ago.

So for the restaurateur this is not a punishment, it's been a very cheap overdraft. That might never be paid off, what happens if the restaurant goes bust ??

It just sends a signal to other employers that "hey if you get caught, we'll only ask you to pay back what you got caught for"

Of course if the employee had dipped his hand in the till for a fraction of that amount what are the chances that he'd have a criminal record for it or perhaps time in prison ?

In fairness, punitive damages are regularly given in cases such as this but mostly by the Employment appeals tribunal or the Labour court. What reached the court on this occasion was just looking to get what the rights commisioner awarded.

we still need criminal legislation for this though