THE HAZARDS surrounding the conditions of employment for casual workers have been highlighted this week by Koonjbeharry Diwakarsingh, a Mauritian student working in Dublin.
Diwakarsingh, who has been studying English in Ireland, was working part-time for a marketing company in Dublin to support his studies. “As I must return home soon, I handed in my notice to the company and I was shocked to be told that I should actually finish up before the end date,” he said.
“I felt that I had been sacked from the job. I was hitting my targets, so for them to not want to use me for the last few days was a bit of a blow.”
Another worker with the company, who did not want to be named, said that although workers had contracts, notice to quit could come “with no apparent reason”. He added: “It is very hard to work when you do not know when or why you will be asked to leave.”
A spokesperson from the company involved responded that Diwakarsingh was not needed for the last few days of his final week “as he would require another worker with him out in the field” which would be “taking up a resource”.
The spokesperson insisted that the company always gives at least one week’s notice and that the nature of the work means there can be quieter periods.
“We have a very good record of employing international students and are very proud of our working relationships with them,” said the spokesperson, who went on to say that the company explained notice periods, and that Diwakarsingh was issued with a contract. Diwakarsingh contends that he was not given any contract and did not know his rights.
A spokesperson for the National Employment Rights Authority (Nera) commented: “Although there is no statutory requirement for a contract of employment to be provided by an employer, they must issue their employees with a written statement of terms and conditions relating to their employment within two months of commencing employment. Among other things, it must include conditions in relation to notice period.”
International students nearing the end of their study visas and planning to leave the country would generally not have recourse to the further rule which states that non-Irish workers, like their Irish colleagues, can take claims of discrimination/ discriminatory dismissal to the Equality Tribunal regardless of the length of their service with the employer.
Diwakarsingh said that all he wants to do is get his P45 sorted out before he leaves Ireland next week. He added that other international students who are working part-time should make sure that they are fully aware of their rights and entitlements under employment legislation.
In the course of putting queries to the company, Diwakarsingh found that as they had not required him to work during the notice period, the company would be paying him for those days he did not work.
