Nasir is a qualified chef from Pakistan. He was married and had children but his marriage broke up; his children and parents are still living in Pakistan.
While working in a restaurant at home, a visitor said he liked his cooking and offered Nasir a job in Ireland. His employer promised him accommodation, a car and a salary of €300-€400 a week. He entered Ireland legally, as his employer had obtained a work permit.
On arrival in Ireland he was expected to work immediately. He lived in his employer's house, worked seven days a week and never had a day off. Nasir's working day began at 8am and did not finish until 2am, save for a short break at 3.30pm.
He worked mainly as a chef but also had to wash dishes, prepare the food and clean up after meals. In addition he was required to deliver menus and takeaway meals to housing estates in the area. To deliver the food and menus he drove the owner's car without insurance. Nasir's salary was €150 a week, but he received only €50 as the employer deducted €100 a week towards the cost of his work permit.
Nasir was verbally abused and threatened with deportation continually. His employer went through his bags while he was at work and his passport went missing while he was living in his employer's house.
When business was bad at the restaurant, Nasir was told to go and find work elsewhere.
This he did, but after a few months his original employer ordered him to return. "I went back to him because some people told me that you need your visa to keep yourself legal . . . I just came back for the sake of this thing. I was just bearing the hardship of my life just because of my papers. I don't want to be illegal."
One night, while delivering takeaways, he had a crash. No other car was involved, but as a result he came into contact with the local Garda and, later, immigration officials. They helped Nasir report his missing passport and, discovering he no longer had a work permit, gave him permission to remain for two months.
After the two months e became undocumented. The Migrants Rights Centre is trying to assist him.
Source: No way forward, no going back, a report published by the Migrants Rights Centre on trafficking for forced labour in Ireland
Ruadhán Mac Cormaic