Sinn Féin spokesperson on enterprise, trade, and employment, Louise O’Reilly TD, called on The Body Shop to adhere to Irish employment law, to pay staff all monies owed, and to honour the 30-day statutory consultation period before the implementation of the redundancies.

Teachta O’Reilly said:

“The treatment of staff by the cosmetics and skincare retailer, The Body Shop, is nothing short of disgraceful and what looks like a possible flouting of Irish employment law.

“The decision by the company to close its Irish operations last week has cast staff into a financial and employment limbo.

“Workers are owed several weeks wages and holiday pay, yet the company has stated they will not be paid.

“Nor has the company adhered to the 30-day notice period for collective redundancies.

“The failure to pay workers monies owed, and the failure to honour the 30-day statutory consultation period before the implementation of the redundancies, is what looks like a possible flouting of Irish employment law.

“This is an unacceptable situation and requires immediate intervention by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment.

“The workers in the Body Shop must be the priority here and it is imperative that the government stands up for them.

“I offer my and Sinn Féin’s solidarity and support to the workers at what is a very difficult time.”