The Government must consider all possible measures to vindicate the rights of former staff of The Body Shop after the sudden closure of the company’s Irish branches, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy.
Deputy Murphy, who is the party’s spokesperson on enterprise, trade and employment, said:
“It is completely unacceptable for employees of The Body Shop in Ireland to be treated in such a despicable way. After learning on a Zoom call that the Irish arm of the business is going into liquidation, staff were also told they will not be paid for the past two weeks, for holidays due or for owed redundancy.
“Almost 40 staff from five stores across the country will now be dependent on the State to receive entitlements such as statutory redundancy.
“It is outrageous that these staff members are not going to be paid what they are entitled to – their wages and holiday pay. The company must have known for the past number of weeks, if not months, that it intended walking away from these commitments to their staff.
“How many more times must companies entering liquidation ride roughshod over the rights of workers before this Government takes action? It is not acceptable that ordinary workers consistently bear the brunt of company failure.
“The Government must now act and assist Body Shop staff in whatever way it can. A full review of a liquidation process in which workers’ rights are routinely shredded must also take place.
“My thoughts are with the staff and their families at what must be a hugely stressful time.”
February 29, 2024