“Russian Aircraft Leasing Firm in Irish Pay & Unfair Dismissal Claims Amid Sanctions Crisis”

Avia Capital Leasing Ltd, a subsidiary of Russia’s second-largest bank VTB, is facing pay and unfair dismissal claims from former employees. These claims include allegations of breaches of the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973, the Payment of Wages Act 1991, and the Organisation of Working Time Act 2004. The company claims its Irish staff refused to be paid in roubles after it was hit by sanctions last year, resulting in blocked bank accounts. The firm’s Irish offices have since closed, and its directors and legal secretaries resigned when sanctions hit. The company secured adjournments at the Workplace Relations Commission to seek a waiver from the sanctions regime and represent itself.