Itzig Sarl, a letting firm associated with contentious landlord Marc Godart, has been directed by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to provide €2,000 in damages to an ex-employee, Dunia Rojas, on claims of unpaid wages for her role as a viewing agent. Ms Rojas began her stint with Itzig Sarl in the Irish capital in October 2023; however, no company party was present to advocate for Itzig Sarl during the hearing.
Her claims against the company included late payments and consistent evasion of full due payment. When Ms Rojas inquired about her wages, she stopped receiving responses from the company, a dialogue she substantiated with phone calls and WhatsApp conversation records.
She had immediately begun her employment role following a successful interview on October 6th, 2023. Upon joining, however, it was revealed to her that the role was commission-based, contrary to what she had been led to believe. The WRC, in its verdict made public on Thursday, agreed that Ms Rojas had “with reluctance” accepted this sudden change and continued to showcase available rental properties and rooms to potential customers.
The company made no payments to her during her initial fortnight of employment and informed her of a monthly payment strategy. Ms Rojas further alleged that the first month’s payment, when finally received, was inaccurate. When she highlighted this issue, she was told it would be corrected in the coming month. Upon requesting her passport details, Ms Rojas expressed her displeasure and voiced her intent to quit the job.
It was also observed by Jim Dolan, the WRC adjudication officer, that Itzig Sarl never issued any payment slips or formal contracts to Ms Rojas. Neither the company nor any of its representatives were present at the WRC hearing, disregarding a letter issued to them on March 20th, 2024, detailing the arrangements for the scheduled hearing in April. Boyd concluded that Ms Rojas’s complaint, as per the Employment (Information) Act 1994, was legitimate and Itzig Sarl had violated the Act’s third section.
Mr Dolan mandated that Itzig Sarl remit a sum of €2,032 to Ms Rojas, with the funds expected to be transferred no later than 42 days post the ruling. Originating from Luxembourg, Mr Godart, accompanied by his family, has over recent years developed a portfolio of property investments in Dublin and other parts of Ireland. His main venture is in the short-term room rental sector, typically multi-bed rooms. However, he has faced multiple rebukes from the Residential Tenancies Board following tenant complaints and has been issued with fire safety notices by the Dublin Fire Brigade. Mr Godart oversees an array of Irish firms, all of which sit under the umbrella of Itzig Sarl.