Boycott Opera Stephens Hotel and Restaurant Royale
national |
miscellaneous |
news report 
Sunday October 13, 2002 23:04
by durf humphries - Studio One
drcockroach at wheatoncollege dot net
62 The Park, Beaumont, Dublin 9
086-392-7407
Shady Irish Coupl Exploit Immigrant Labour
Despite the 'Celtic Tiger,' I had difficulty finding work once I moved to Ireland from the United States. Although I had obtained a work visa, I stumbled into a circumstance that helped me understand the illegal work conditions of aliens better, both in Ireland and in my home country.
My first employment experience in Dublin involved the Mona Lisa near Temple Bar, where I worked for one day and was replaced by a more experienced chef without receiving any pay. My second employment experience occured after covering the city with my CV and receiving a phonecall from the couple who own and run the Opera Stephens Hotel and Restaurant Royale on Stephens Street (a few blocks from St. Stephens Green). They called me at 7 in the morning and asked if I wanted a job. I came immediately, expecting an interview, but was immediately put to work, washing dishes, bussing tables, waiting tables- work I had become accustomed to in America. I was then instructed to do some housekeeping work, which I had never done before but am fully capable of performing. Throughout the morning, the couple refused to call me by my name, referring to me as "Dolly." I tried to inquire about what wage I would be receiving all day, but they kept avoiding the question. At the end of seven and a half hours of work, they told me to come in everyday at seven for the next week and to expect to work seven hours a day, seven days a week, without time off for the rest of my employment. I asked them how much I would be paid and they said they wouldn't know until after the first week, after they had seen how good a job I could perform. I asked them for an estimate and they told me to expect at least 100 euros a week! Maybe 250 if I was a really good worker... At least 49 hours a week of labor, bought and sold at 100 euros? With my American pride, proud of my strong unions and valuable labor, I told them not to expect me to return the next day and they said they would find some Chinese girl who would do the job better and cheaper.
Comments (8 of 8)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8maybe the chinese immigrant could do a better job than a spoilt american immigrant. Just becos you're a white immigrant you think you should be treated better?
The conditions for any worker should adhere to the country's labor policy. Having worked in kitchens in both Georgia and Vermont, I've worked with immigrants from Guatemala, Mexico, Lithuania, and other countries. I stand up for workers everywhere, not just spoiled white Americans like myself.
don't worry. just because he listens to the smiths and gets with the most irie, you think he doesn't care about every labor without discrimination; the expectation dr. had was not intended selfishly; his drive in standing back and refusing doesn't necessarily originate in his higher (so-called american) standards, but in his fight for hope in better systems of living up to your potential.
as an immigrant, i would say, dr.'s action was one of those "young, brave and chaotically naked" experiences.
by the way, the value put on your labor shouldn't meerly be effected by your cultural background or any racial discrimination; i hope that wasn't the case for durf.
true. it might not be enough to say with an open mouth of empathy that the tragicness of this failure called civilisation is that one must work for a living. but remember the george orwell who sat perched atop the barn shamelessly chucking stones at the mechanical super beast:
rebel rebel. for heaven on earth has many obstacles.
this dr. sounds certified.
This is in breach of Labour Regulations. If YOU report this to:
Dept Enterprise, Trade & Employment
The Labour Inspectorate
Davitt House
65A Adelaide Road
Dublin 2
Tel 6312121
They will follow up the matter & may be able to secure back pay for you. The restraunts involved will also be less inclined to pay under the minimum wage in future as they would also face prosecution under the regulations.
The Inspectorate is understaffed & is not as proactive as it should be; but it is good at following up complaints.
For general Employment Rights Information:
Tel 6313131 erinfo@entemp.ie
Regarding sexist comments, if you think this amounted to sexual harassment or if you feel you were discriminated due to gender then contact:
Equality Authority
Clonmel St
Dublin 2
Tel 4173333 info@equality.ie
It takes time, but the Authority is good at getting money for people.
its difficult to understand what motivates the cranks on this site. when ever anyone is doing something they whinge because you are not doing something else.
the labour inspectorate & the equality authority do get results. but they are underresourced, this should be a reason to call for more resources for them; not to dismiss them out of hand.
i wonder what "my arse they'll do anything bout it" has ever done to help exploited workers?
go & join statler & waldorf in their box you muppet.
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