The owner of a cleaning firm that exploited four Brazilian workers in 2002 is to be restricted from being a company director for the next five years, the High Court ordered yesterday. Chris Dooley, Industry and Employment Correspondent, reports.
The order against Ms Samantha Hutton was the first of its kind secured by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. The court heard that her company, At Hand Cleaning Services, was insolvent but had never been put into liquidation.
Mr Justice Finlay-Geoghegan accepted the contention of the director of corporate enforcement, Mr Paul Appleby, that the conduct of Ms Hutton warranted restriction. The court ordered that she should be restricted from being a director or secretary of a company or from being involved in its promotion or formation. Ms Hutton did not oppose the application.
Her company was ordered by the High Court in October 2002 to pay €50,000 to three Brazilian workers. A fourth family member who had been party to the case went home before the hearing.
Making the award, Mr Justice Kelly said the workers had been exploited in a "cruel fashion" .