Cork TD raises concerns in the Dáil over Body Shop employees 

A Cork TD has raised concerns for employees of The Body Shop in Cork, who face redundancy after news that the company is expected to go into liquidation next week.

The Body Shop employs 40 full-time staff in seven stores in Ireland, including the Oliver Plunkett St store in Cork city centre, which closed its doors for the final time last night. Staff were reportedly informed by email that Irish stores would be closing at the end of the month.

It is understood that staff were told to continue to trade as normal but were informed on Wednesday morning that they would not be paid for work completed between February 11 and February 28.

The Body Shop UK recently went into administration, announcing the closure of nearly half of its 198 stores, leaving thousands facing redundancy.

Unanswered questions

Irish stores have continued to trade, but employees have been left with unanswered questions surrounding their redundancies. 

Speaking in the Dáil on Wednesday evening, People Before Profit-Solidarity TD for Cork North Central Mick Barry said: “They [staff] have been told that the Irish stores will be closed tomorrow [Thursday]. 

The stock will be cleared out of the Irish stores, and the company is expected to go into liquidation next week. They were told that they will not be paid for any or all work that they’ve performed between February 11 this year and February 28, and they are owed money for holidays too.

“In the Cork shop, which I contacted, five workers are employed and the owners owe those five workers, between them, more than €10,000. One staff member is owed more than €4,000.”

Concern

The minister of state with responsibility for employment affairs and retail business, Neale Richmond, said: “I share your concern in relation to the workers at the aforementioned company and I fully, absolutely expect all statutory obligations will be met. In terms of the notice that was received literally today by the department, I can confirm that workers are able to take alternative employment without losing any entitlements as you laid out, within the next 30 days.”

The Echo has attempted to contact the new owners of the company.