Some Iceland employees nonetheless looking for pay after examinership, Dáil hears

There have been reviews that some employees at Iceland’s supermarkets in Eire nonetheless haven’t been paid because the firm went into examinership three weeks in the past.

Donegal TD Thomas Pringle mentioned there was snail-paced motion for employees who’ve been “left excessive and dry” by the corporate.

Letterkenny’s Iceland department at Courtyard Procuring Centre was one of many shops to shut its doorways on the weekend.

Pringle mentioned that the authorities have been fast to impose a meals recall on Iceland in June, however sluggish to intervene on employees’ rights.

Seven employees from Iceland and their union consultant from the Unbiased Employees Union sat the Dáil gallery at this time.

Deputy Pringle mentioned: “I’m horrified to find out how the employees have been handled in latest weeks and I want to categorical my solidarity with the employees who’ve needed to endure an especially tough couple of weeks with no assist and no communication from their employers. It’s completely disgraceful. There have been reviews that the corporate has unilaterally modified their worker’s phrases and situations and that among the employees nonetheless haven’t been paid. 

“Final month, all imported frozen meals of animal origin was in a short time withdrawn from the cabinets following a recall beneath the Meals Security Authority of Eire, but relating to taking care of the rights of the employees, we have now been very sluggish to intervene. It’s the final day earlier than the recess, Tánaiste, so this matter must be addressed urgently. Greater than 400 employees are left with out wages resulting from them, vacation pay and redundancy pay. Certainly you’ll agree that that’s unacceptable,” he mentioned.

The deputy raised the problem throughout questions on coverage or laws.

Deputy Pringle mentioned: “How will you help the Iceland employees and the way are you going to make sure that all employees might be paid as quickly as doable?”

In his response, the Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, mentioned it was unacceptable for employees to be handled as Deputy Pringle described. He mentioned that staff have a proper to refer a grievance to the Office Relations Fee and that an examinership has been appointed, and the processes need to be gone by.

Some Iceland employees nonetheless looking for pay after examinership, Dáil hears was final modified: July thirteenth, 2023 by Rachel McLaughlin