Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Seán Crowe, has called on the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Foreign Affairs Minister, Charlie Flanagan, to ensure that the full amount owed to 3 Filipino domestic works is paid by the former United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to Ireland.

Deputy Crowe said:

“The UAE Ambassador to Ireland  and has wife have been found guilty by a workers rights tribunal  of treating three domestic servants, who worked in their Dublin residence, literally like slaves.

“The UAE Department of Foreign Affairs have now recalled the Ambassador to Abu Dhabi and say they are carrying out an investigation into this controversy. It is now being reported that he will be replaced as Ambassador to Ireland.

“The three women, all originally from the Philippines, began working for the family in the UAE but eventually moved to Ireland with them in 2011.

“While working for the former Ambassador these domestic workers were paid less than €2 an hour, and the tribunal heard they lived in extremely cramp conditions, had no days off, and had their passports confiscated.

“The women were eventually able to escape from their captivity in 2012 with help of the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI).

“The Irish Employment Appeals Tribunal has found the Ambassador and his wife guilty, and ordered them to pay the three woman €80,000 each, or €240,000 in total. Unfortunately they are continuing to claim diplomatic impunity and somehow wash their hands of their direct involvement in this exploitation.

Crowe continued:

“The actions of the former Ambassador and his spouse were completely unacceptable in any democratic society and the UAE Department of Foreign Affairs should take steps to sanction this behaviour.

“The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan, needs to ensure that the €240,000 is paid in full.  The three exploited women should get recognition of their basic rights and the financial redress that was awarded by the Irish labour court.

“These women need the full and comprehensive support of our political system.”

ENDS